What is Argireline and how does it work?

Argireline (Acetyl hexapeptide-3) is a non-toxic, skin-permeable anti-wrinkle peptide. It significantly inhibits the release of neurotransmitters dependent on Ca2+ at the neuromuscular junction. Argireline has anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects.

Acetyl hexapeptide-8, also known as Argireline, is a high-quality anti-wrinkle cosmetic ingredient with high anti-wrinkle activity and minimal side effects. It has been used in various high-end cosmetic series. Argireline can locally block the transmission of nerve signals to muscles, affecting the neural conduction of the skin, relaxing facial muscles, and smoothing dynamic, static, and fine lines. It effectively reorganizes collagen elasticity, increases the activity of elastin protein, relaxes facial contours, and improves wrinkles and sagging. It can be used as an anti-wrinkle ingredient in cosmetics, with excellent results. Argireline prevents the formation of skin wrinkles by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction.

Benefits and Applications

- Anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects

- Improvement of skin quality

- Facial, neck, and hand care products

- Argireline can be added to beauty skincare products such as lotions, masks, day and night creams, and eye serums.

Mechanism of Action

Acetyl hexapeptide-8/Argireline competes with SNAP-25 at the fusion complex site, thereby affecting the formation of the complex. When the fusion complex is slightly unstable, vesicles cannot effectively release neurotransmitters, resulting in weakened muscle contractions and prevention of wrinkle formation.

The biologically active peptide with the sequence Acetyl-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-ArgNH2, known as Acetyl hexapeptide-3, is a compound similar to botulinum toxin A but lacks the N-terminal domain of the protein SNAP-25. It competes for binding to regulate the formation of the SNARE complex, inhibiting the formation of acetylcholine and thus weakening muscle contractions. This peptide can also reduce the development of wrinkles caused by unconscious skin movements. The action of botulinum toxin A is similar to that of a protease, cutting the protein SNAP-25 from the SNARE complex. This leads to the inhibition of acetylcholine release.

Experimental Data and Research Reports

An in vivo experiment was conducted using four lobsters with exposed muscle mass. The animals were immersed in solutions containing different concentrations of the active peptide (0, 10, 15, and 20 μM), confirming that the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials gradually decreased, and the inhibition of other proteins is crucial for muscle movement. In another 30-day experiment with 20 human subjects, the application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing the peptide resulted in a 59% and 71% reduction in wrinkle depth and a 41% and 50% reduction in wrinkle size compared to a placebo control for dry and oily skin, respectively. The application was performed twice daily on a standardized 1.5 cm2 area of the skin. Wrinkle depth and width were measured using the Clinipro Antiaging SD device and the IMAGE DB system. The peptide is commercialized by Galena?, a pioneer in the field of raw material distribution for pharmaceutical companies, with the INCI name aqua (and) acetyl hexapeptide-8 (and) phenoxyethanol (and) methylparaben (and) ethylparaben (and) propylparaben (and) isobutylparaben.