Cryptomphalus aspersa Eggs Extract Potentiates Human Epidermal Stem Cell Regeneration and Amplification

Modern life and extended life expectancy have prompted the search for natural compounds alleviating skin aging. Evidence supports the beneficial effects on skin integrity and health from the topical administration of preparations of the mollusc Cryptomphalus aspersa eggs extract (IFC-CAF(R)) and suggests these effects are partly derived from an impact on skin renewal and repair mechanisms. The objective was to dissect in vitro the specific impact of IFC-CAF(R) on different parameters related to the regenerative potential, differentiation phenotype and exhaustion of skin stem cells. A prominent impact of IFC-CAF(R) was the induction of stratification and differentiated phenotypes from skin stem cells. IFC-CAF(R) slowed down the cell cycle at the keratinocyte DNA repair phase and, decelerated proliferation. However, it preserved the proliferative potential of the stem cells. IFC-CAF(R) reduced the DNA damage marker, gamma H2AX, and induced the expression of the transcription factor p53. These features correlated with significant protection in telomere shortening upon replicative exhaustion. Thus, IFC-CAF(R) helps maintain orderly cell cycling and differentiation, thus potentiating DNA repair and integrity. Our observations support the regenerative and repair capacity of IFC-CAF(R) on skin, through the improved mobilization and ordered differentiation of keratinocyte precursors and the enhancement of genome surveillance and repair mechanisms that counteract aging.