GHK-Cu · research summary

Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application.

Pharmaceutics · 2023. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

In vitro physicochemical and enzymatic study of liposome formulation
“The influence of total lipid content, lipid composition and GHK-Cu concentration on the physicochemical properties of liposomes was studied.”

Subjects

Anionic and cationic hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes loaded with GHK-Cu peptide
“Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze–thaw cycles and the extrusion process.”

Duration

Four weeks for stability monitoring and 24 hours for release kinetics
“All of these parameters were tested over a period of four weeks every seven days to determine the stability of the liposomes.”

Reported findings

GHK-Cu demonstrated significant elastase inhibition (48.90%) but negligible tyrosinase inhibition.
“The obtained results confirmed that the liposomes can be used as carriers for biomimetic peptides such as copper-binding peptide and that the GHK-Cu did not significantly affect the tyrosinase activity but led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin.”
Cationic liposomes showed higher bilayer fluidity than anionic liposomes.
“The bilayer fluidity was higher in the case of cationic liposomes.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Study was conducted in vitro using reconstructed human epidermis models and enzymatic assays, not in human subjects.
“In order to assess the safety of GHK-Cu tripeptide, both in PBS solution and encapsulated in anionic liposomes, the EpiDerm-200-reconstructed human epidermis cells model were used.”

Source: PubMed 37896245 · DOI 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102485 · all study summaries

Subjects

Anionic and cationic hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes loaded with GHK-Cu peptide

“Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze–thaw cycles and the extrusion process.”

Reported findings

GHK-Cu demonstrated significant elastase inhibition (48.90%) but negligible tyrosinase inhibition.

“The obtained results confirmed that the liposomes can be used as carriers for biomimetic peptides such as copper-binding peptide and that the GHK-Cu did not significantly affect the tyrosinase activity but led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin.”

Cationic liposomes showed higher bilayer fluidity than anionic liposomes.

“The bilayer fluidity was higher in the case of cationic liposomes.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Study was conducted in vitro using reconstructed human epidermis models and enzymatic assays, not in human subjects.

“In order to assess the safety of GHK-Cu tripeptide, both in PBS solution and encapsulated in anionic liposomes, the EpiDerm-200-reconstructed human epidermis cells model were used.”