Unlocking the Potential: Antioxidant Enzymes as a Promising Defense Against Skin Aging
Aging is an inevitable stage in each individual’s journey and, for many, the marks that time leaves on the skin play a prominent role as indicators of this process. Inadequate eating habits, a hectic lifestyle and the consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages can accelerate this evolution. Originated by such behaviors, oxidative stress, scientifically designated, is characterized by the imbalance between the generation of oxidizing compounds and the operation of the body’s antioxidant defense systems. This phenomenon, in addition to contributing to premature aging, is also related to inflammatory and tumor processes.
Considering this reality, researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) developed a patent entitled Recombinant enzyme delivery system with antioxidant action in the skin and other tissues . According to Viviane Abreu Nunes Cerqueira Dantas, from USP’s School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, one of the minds behind this innovation, it is an antioxidant system composed of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, which fight free radicals generated in the skin, thus mitigating cellular aging. This system has the ability to neutralize a significant amount of free radicals and incorporates drug delivery technology , which ensures the absorption of the compound by skin cells.
The antioxidant enzymes contained in the patent were inspired by the enzymes present in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reseei . The researcher explains: “Fungal enzymes were chosen due to their more attractive biochemical properties compared to human enzymes, including thermal stability and greater catalytic activity. To employ these enzymes, researchers cloned them and fused them with cell-penetrating peptides, thus expanding their ability to enter skin cells.”
beauty industry
Another impetus for the development of this patent comes from the global growth of the cosmetics market. In 2019, the global cosmetics segment totaled approximately USD 402 billion, with projections pointing to a global market potential of USD 88 billion in anti-aging solutions by 2026. Furthermore, it is estimated that by 2027 the market for biotech cosmetic active ingredients will reach approximately USD 1.6 billion, thus accelerating opportunities for innovation in this sector. According to Viviane Dantas, antioxidant enzymes are destined to encourage the development of effective products in this industry.
The researcher reports that the research work began in 2020 and that the enzymes produced have already demonstrated promising results in vitro , having also been evaluated in terms of efficacy, safety, irritation and corrosion. Once complementary tests, such as the skin permeation test, have been completed, the objective is to transfer this technology to the skin care industry , allowing large-scale production of this active ingredient.