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Researchers reveal how a compound called methylene blue reduced signs of aging in human skin cells, it could be added to cosmetic products to combat skin aging.
Methylene blue is effective for reducing cell division, which is considered a key player in aging.
Methylene blue reduced markers of senescence in skin cells. The skin fibroblasts were derived from healthy middle-aged and older adults, as well as from individuals with progeria.
After treating the fibroblasts with methylene blue for 4 weeks, the researchers identified a decrease in reactive oxygen species, which are known to cause skin cell damage.
Treatment with methylene blue led to a reduction in markers of cellular senescence; the compound increased cell division and reduced cell death.
Researchers found that 4 weeks of treatment with methylene blue led to numerous improvements.
These included a reduction in the expression of the genes beta-galactosidase and p16, which are markers of cellular aging.
The team found that the skin model not only retained more water when treated with methylene blue, but it also increased in thickness.
