Abstract

Introduction: Skin aging leads to structural degradation, particularly of collagens. In an integrative beauty approach, oral supplements complement conventional topical treatments and stimulate the skin from within. We thus developed a novel oral supplement combining
eggshell collagen fragments with a micronutrients mix (Blend of vitamins C & E, zinc & copper), designed to enhance skin’s natural collagen synthesis. To evaluate its efficacy, an in vitro study was conducted on human dermal fibroblasts. The collagen component
underwent an in vitro enzymatic pre-digestion to mimic physiological assimilation, ensuring a more relevant assessment of its bioactivity.
Methodology: Collagen was digested using a standardized method. Human dermal fibroblasts were subsequently treated with the actives alone or in combination. Untreated cells served as controls, and a mixture of Vitamin C and TGF-β was included as a positive control. Collagen types I, III, IV, V, and VI expression were quantified by in situ immunolabeling and image analysis, followed by statistical analysis.
Results: Digested collagen significantly stimulated the expression of collagens I, III, IV, and VI. Micronutrients mix also demonstrated significant increases in collagens I, III, and V. Most importantly, the combined formulation potently increased the expression of all
collagens I, III, IV, V, and VI. The effect on collagen I suggested an additive interaction, while the increases in collagens IV, V, and VI indicated a complementary action between the components.
Conclusion: Our in vitro findings robustly demonstrate that the combination of pre-digested collagen, vitamins, and minerals significantly enhances the production of multiple collagen types crucial for skin structure and health. This comprehensive approach, validated through
a physiologically relevant in vitro digestion model, underscores the potential of our novel oral supplement to effectively stimulate the skin’s natural collagen synthesis from within, thereby promoting integrative beauty and combating age-related signs due to dermal
degradation.

Keywords

oral supplement, collagens, skin aging, eggshell, vitamins and minerals