enhance the formation of collagen and elastin. Finally, the skin will be repaired and regenerated from inside.


Bulbs of crocus chrysanthus trigger the right communication Cell culture assays with keratinocytes and fibroblasts were used to screen plant extracts for the right communication triggers. Keratinocyte cultures were incubated with the plant extracts. After separation of the cells, the medium supernatant containing the released messenger compounds, was used to incubate fibroblast cells in it. After incubation, the activity of selected fibroblast genes was analysed. The medium supernatant of keratinocytes incubated in an extract of crocus chrysanthus bulbs was found to strongly activate the formation of elastin, of the elastin fibre-synthesising enzyme and of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Analysis of the keratinocyte medium supernatant confirmed that the extract induced the release of messenger compounds such as fibroblast growth factors and also CTGF. The newest literature shows that CTGF becomes a limiting factor in ageing skin and that a boost in CTGF might increase collagen content. These results demonstrate that in fact an extract of crocus bulbs could trigger the right communication to correct age-related loss of fibre production in the dermis.


Increase of collagen amount by 115% after two weeks’ application Two clinical studies showed that the concept demonstrated in cell culture assays works in real skin. In a first clinical pilot trial, two-photon microscopy, a non-invasive analytical tool, was used to measure collagen and elastin in the dermis. The amount of both fibres was clearly increased compared to the placebo already after two weeks’ application of a cream with 0.4% of the crocus bulb extract. The two-photon microscopy pictures


showed also qualitative differences between verum and placebo treated skin. The verum was found to clearly reduce the size of wrinkles. The wrinkles in the placebo treated skin zone are visible as dark, crack-like openings that are wide at a depth of 12 microns and become narrower at 24 and 48 micron depths. By contrast, there was a complete absence of such dark openings, even in the superficial layers, in the verum treated skin. In another clinical study with 20 women over 4 weeks, a cream with 2% of the crocus bulb extract clearly improved skin firmness and elasticity and reduced wrinkles in the crow’s feet area.


Placebo


12 µm Verum


24 µm


48 µm


Granular layer


Spinous layer


Dermal-epidermal junction


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