Acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8 (sources differ) is a synthetic anti-wrinkle

cosmetics Cosmetics are constituted mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources, or synthetically created ones. Cosmetics have various purposes. Those designed for personal care and skin care can be used to cleanse or protec ...

ingredient. It is a

peptide Peptides (, ) are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Long chains of amino acids are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty amino acids are called oligopeptides, and include dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides. ...

which is a fragment of

SNAP-25 Synaptosomal-Associated Protein, 25kDa (SNAP-25) is a Target Soluble NSF (''N''-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) Attachment Protein Receptor (t-SNARE) protein encoded by the ''SNAP25'' gene found on chromosome 20p12.2 in humans. SNAP-25 is a com ...

, a substrate of

botulinum toxin Botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium ''Clostridium botulinum'' and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neurom ...

(''Botox''). Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is marketed as Argireline by the Barcelona-based research laboratory Lipotec.

Overview and common uses

Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is used in attempts to decrease the visible effects of aging by reducing the deep wrinkles and lines that occur around the forehead and eyes. Chemically, when applied as a solution to specific areas of the face, acetyl hexapeptide-3 inhibits the reactions that cause muscles to move or contract – for example when forming facial expressions such as smiling or frowning.

Studies

Both ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called " test-tube experiments", these studies in biology a ...

'' (outside a living organism) and ''

in vivo Studies that are ''in vivo'' (Latin for "within the living"; often not italicized in English) are those in which the effects of various biological entities are tested on whole, living organisms or cells, usually animals, including humans, and p ...

'' (using a living organism) tests have been carried out, but no

double-blind In a blind or blinded experiment, information which may influence the participants of the experiment is withheld until after the experiment is complete. Good blinding can reduce or eliminate experimental biases that arise from a participants' expec ...

anti-wrinkle studies are available. In a 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating treatment of

blepharospasm Blepharospasm is any abnormal contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The condition should be distinguished from the more common, and milder, involuntary quivering of an eyelid, known as myokymia, or fasciculation. In most cases, blepharosp ...

(abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid), botulinum toxin injections with subsequent acetyl hexapeptide-3 treatment were compared to botulinum toxin injections with placebo cream treatment. Of the 12 patients in the acetyl hexapeptide-3 group, four experienced an extension of symptom control by 3.3 to 7.1 months.

Safety research

The 2012 study concluded there were no significant adverse effects. Patients receiving botulinum toxin injections exhibited longer times until return to baseline symptoms when supported with daily application of acetyl hexapeptide-8.

Chemistry

Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is the hexapeptide with the sequence Ac- Glu-Glu- Met-

Gln Glutamine (symbol Gln or Q) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. Its side chain is similar to that of glutamic acid, except the carboxylic acid group is replaced by an amide. It is classified as a charge-neutral, ...

- Arg-Arg-NH₂.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Hexapeptides Cosmetics chemicals