Potential anti-aging effect of chondroitin sulfate through skin regeneration.

OBJECTIVE Skin aging is inevitably exposed through its typical features such as wrinkles and sagging. Therefore, skin anti-aging is a major issue in cosmetic research to prevent and improve aging symptoms using effective ingredients. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a type of glycosaminoglycan, is an important structural component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is involved in various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of CS on skin regeneration and examine its efficacy as a potential safe and effective skin anti-aging ingredient. METHODS We investigated the effects of CS on cell proliferation in normal human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Then, cell migration, ECM synthesis, and related signaling pathways were examined in fibroblasts through gene and protein expression analysis. Finally, the effect on skin wound healing and regeneration was validated using a full-thickness skin wound model and an aged skin model. RESULTS CS treatment increased the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. It also stimulated the migration and synthesis of ECM components of fibroblasts. Further analysis revealed that CS induced the expression of type I procollagen by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. Using a full-thickness skin wound model and an aged skin model, we confirmed that CS treatment promoted skin wound healing and regeneration. CONCLUSION Together, our results indicated that CS has the potential to facilitate skin regeneration, implying that CS could be clinically applied to improve skin aging.