Red Deer Umbilical Cord Lining Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extract Cream for Rejuvenation of the Face
April 2019 | Volume 18 | Issue 4 | Original Article | 363 | Copyright © April 2019
Marwan Alhaddad MD, Monica Boen MD, Douglas C. Wu MD PhD, and Mitchel P. Goldman MD
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, San Diego, CA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aging is a multifactorial process that involves all components of the skin. Both intrinsic and extrinsic forces play a role in
this aging process. A new patented protein mix derived from red deer umbilical cord lining stem cell conditioned media (Calecim® Multi
Action Cream, CellResearch Corporation, Singapore) has been developed to improve the signs of aging. The extract is the conditioned
media from umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cell culture in basal media and consists of a mixture, in specific proportions, of
cytokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, amino acids, peptides, and other proteins. It has been developed to increase
epidermal cell turnover and stimulate fibroblast function, reducing the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines, and redness, and to
restore skin elasticity.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this IRB-approved, prospective, randomized, double-blind, split-face, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to
compare the efficacy of red deer mesenchymal stem cell extract (RCE) versus vehicle for facial rejuvenation.
METHODS: The trial involved 40 healthy subjects with moderate to severe facial wrinkling secondary to photodamage. One half of the
face was randomized to receive topical RCE cream and vehicle cream to the other half of the face. Treatment was continued for 3
months, and evaluations were performed in a double-blind fashion.
RESULTS: Both sides of the face achieved significant improvement. Blinded investigator assessments did not detect any statistically
significant differences between the two halves of the face in terms of efficacy, safety, or tolerability. Subject evaluations demonstrated
superiority of the active treatment side.
CONCLUSION: Red deer umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cell extract was effective in rejuvenating the aging face as demonstrated
by investigator and subject measures.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(4):363-366.
INTRODUCTION
Aging is a multifactorial process that involves all the layers/components of the skin. Both intrinsic and extrinsic forces play a role in this aging process. Extrinsic factors, such as photodamange and other environmental stressors, combined with the intrinsic aging process lead to the appearance of the morphological features of aging, such as solar lentigines, telangectasias, keratoses, rhytids, elastosis, and skin atrophy. At the molecular level, ultraviolet radiation causes increased oxidative stress, tissue damage, and the accumulation of free radicals, which result in the suppression of endogenous growth factors and the progressive degradation of the collagen and elastin networks within the dermis.1-3 Reversing these processes using cosmeceutical products is extremely valuable for both cosmetic and medical reasons.A new patented protein mix derived from red deer umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media (RCE) Calecim® Multi Action Cream, (CellResearch Corporation, Singapore) has been developed to improve the signs of aging.The extract consists of a mixture, in specific proportions, of cytokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, amino acids, peptides, and other proteins. They represent the full complement of proteins that are generated by the umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells have the potential to increase epidermal cell turnover, reducing the appearance of pigmentation, fines lines, and redness, and to restore skin elasticity.4In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial, the authors compare the efficacy of red deer umbilical cord lining conditioned media (RCE) in a transepidermal vehicle versus the vehicle alone for facial rejuvenation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Conference on Harmonization. After obtaining informed consent, 40 subjects over the age of 18 with
