Research was carried out in a laboratory at the Butantan Institute with funding from CNPq
A research project carried out at the Laboratory of Structure and Function of Biomolecules at the Butantan Institute identified peptides capable of inhibiting and activating the action of hyaluronidase – the enzyme responsible for degrading hyaluronic acid in the body, a substance that gives the skin a firm appearance.
In initial tests, enzyme-inhibiting peptides were identified with potential for treating skin wrinkles and cartilage injuries. Activating peptides have the potential to treat bruises. The technological initiation project still has a long way to go, but it is already showing promise for possible aesthetic and medical use based on the primary results.
“If our hypothesis is confirmed, we could think about an anti-aging cream and even drugs with the potential to treat some chondropathies, which are cartilage lesions treated with recurrent intra-articular applications of hyaluronic acid”said medical student Caio Mendes, 33, author of the study.
The substance could also be used on bruises, says the student, as it prevents the extravasation of blood that causes spots on the skin.
The study was guided by the scientific researcher at the Butantan Institute Fernanda Portaro and the professor of medicine at the University Ninth of July Bruno Duzzi.
The research is called “Use of hyaluronidase as a screening tool for the identification of peptides with biotechnological potential from hydrolyzed collagen” and is part of the scholarship program of the Technological Development and Innovation Program funded by CNPq (National Center for Technological Development) and the Butantan Foundation.
The project won 1st place at the 5th Meeting of Scientific Initiation and Technological Innovation Students at the Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan, held in June this year.
With information from Government of São Paulo.
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