Algae May Enhance Skin Regeneration and Wound Healing: Study

Euglena gracilis-derived extracellular vesicles enhance skin-regenerative wound healing

Euglena gracilis may enhance skin regeneration to speed wound healing, according to new research.

Investigators developed a system based on microvesicles that bud from the cell surface of Euglena gracilis,  a freshwater single-celled green algae,  and contain β-glucan, a carbohydrate with immunoregulatory activity, regeneration ability, and antioxidant properties. 

In lab experiments, these microvesicles promoted the proliferation and migration of skin cells, increasing both collagen synthesis and the expression of proliferation-associated proteins. In addition,  a wound healing test also generated promising results. 

“These results demonstrate that the EMVEG system shows considerable potential in the field of skin regeneration,” conclude study authors.

“This technique is expected to be applied to other cells, thereby enabling the design of new types of extracellular vesicles that are applicable for skin treatments and care in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries,”.

The study appears in Advanced Materials Interfaces.