Anti-wrinkle and Antioxidant Activity of the Formulated Collagen-Based Cream from <i>Holothuria leucospilota</i>

Background: Due to the fact that a youthful appearance plays an important role in personality and social relationships, the demand for treatments to delay skin aging is increasing. The use of nutritional supplements to improve the appearance and function of aging skin has been taken into consideration. Objectives: In adults, the structure of the dermis decreases in density, and the production of collagen gradually decreases with age. In this research, to prevent skin aging, the effects of collagen extracted from the sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota on the histological appearance and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of aged mice skin were investigated for the first time using a collagen-based cream. Methods: Collagen was first extracted from H. leucospilota and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Four different formulations were evaluated based on their appearance, pH determination, homogeneity, and spreadability, and the best formula was chosen as the baseline formula. Then, 72 healthy female NMRI mice from a breeding colony were randomly divided into six groups (each of 12): The control (without treatment), a commercial Cinere anti-wrinkle cream, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% collagen cream, and placebo groups. Animals received the treatment creams locally for one month, twice a day. The skin on the neck was examined histopathologically and evaluated for antioxidant status on days 7, 15, 23, and 30 post-treatment. Results: Histologically, thick, regular, and bundle-shaped collagen and elastic fibers were seen within the dermis in the collagen-based cream groups at the fourth week post-treatment. The 2.5% collagen-based cream showed the best quantity and quality of collagen content and elastosis of the dermis, followed by 2% and 3% compared to other groups. The antioxidant activity of the formulated collagen-based creams was another finding of the present study. Conclusions: The collagen-based cream isolated from H. leucospilota has an anti-wrinkle effect and improves the laxity of aged skin by enhancing skin collagen and elastic fiber content, as well as decreasing oxidative stress and ROS production. These findings suggest that collagen-based cream from H. leucospilota has potential capacity for use against skin aging in a mice model.