Plant vs Human Stem Cells
Stem cells are specialized cells that can develop into different types of cells depending on what the living organism needs. Both plants and humans have stem cells which have over the years been used in various skin care products to treat skin concerns.
Plant stem cells are found in the meristematic tissue, which are parts of the plant that grow (tips of roots, stems and branches). They have the ability to renew and regenerate and create different types of cells. Due to plants being immobile, the plant stem cells provide a way for the plant to continue to survive under stressful and dangerous conditions. Skincare companies have taken notice of specific plant’s ability to regenerate under harsh environments and wanted to incorporate these properties into products to help protect and heal our skin.
PhytoCellTec Malus domestica is a plant stem cell extract found from the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple. It is rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and anti-inflammatory ingredients, and is used in the Eminence Age Corrective product line. In a clinical study, scientists viewed the effect of this swiss apple stem cell extract on epidermal (skin) stem cells. Young epidermal stem cells are capable of forming a multi-layered epidermis under lab conditions. While old stem cells do not form an epidermis because they are no longer multiplying and have come to the end of their life cycle. When the scientists applied the swiss apple stem cell extract to the older skin stem cells they were able to generate an epidermis with all its layers. This study showed that the PhytoCellTec Malus domestica extract has the ability to improve the epidermal stem cells’ functionality and regeneration capabilities. The study further tested the plant stem cell extract on subjects with crow’s feet and found that 100% of the subjects saw a reduction in wrinkle depth. Plant stem cells cannot replace or function as human stem cells, but their extracts can provide the nutrients and other beneficial components to allow our human stem cells (specifically skin stem cells) to function better.
Adult human stem cells (somatic) start out as undefined cells in tissue, where they will produce replacement cells that are dead or damaged through normal aging, injury and disease. They are found in multiple tissues such as the umbilical cord, placenta, bone marrow, muscle, fat, brain, skin, guts, blood, and nerves. They are similar to plant stem cells in their purpose, to keep the organism alive by replacing damaged cells and creating different types of cells based on what is required.
As we age, we start to lose these stem cells and their healing capabilities. Over time damage and inflammation can build up on the skin causing texture and discolouration. To help somatic stem cells respond to injury/damage they release biosignals, called cytokines and growth factors, which start the necessary pathways to regenerate, repair, reduce inflammation and reverse damage. Skincare companies have begun to use somatic stem cells from platelet-rich plasma blood samples, adipose-tissue (fat) and bone marrow to utilize these biosignals for skin health. Stem cells from bone marrow (mesenchymal) are extracted from healthy volunteers, and within a laboratory environment, the biosignals (cytokines and growth factors) from these stem cells will be grown and used in serum and creams. These biosignals are found in the Anteage skincare system and have been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation, wrinkle depth, acne, redness and texture.
Incorporating both plant stem cell extracts and human cytokines and growth factors will positively impact the health of the skin. Although plant stem cell extracts will not replace human stem cells, they can provide nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties to skin stem cells that will allow them to function optimally. Using skincare with somatic stem cell-derived biosignals (cytokines and growth factors) will be the best way to regenerate the skin. They are a necessary component of a well-rounded skincare routine, as they restore the skin’s natural healing abilities to the level of a younger version.
If you would like to try a product from the Eminence Age Corrective line or the Anteage system. You can email us and we are happy to send out samples.
Links
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7275108/
https://www.phytocelltec.ch/en/the-active-ingredients/phytocelltec-malus-domestica
https://www.unmc.edu/stemcells/educational-resources/types.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8316836/