Safety Assessment and Clinical research of Tripeptide-1

Tripeptide-1, also known as Oligopeptide-1 (a type of oligopeptide) and referred to as a dermal promoting factor, is naturally present in human blood and saliva. It is a polymer formed by the condensation of histidine, glycine, and lysine. Tripeptide-1 primarily acts on the dermis layer of the skin, promoting the synthesis of extracellular matrix components such as collagen and glycosaminoglycans. As a signaling peptide, Tripeptide-1 acts on the dermis to effectively promote the production of collagen and elastin, enhance angiogenesis, and increase antioxidant capacity.

Figure1: Picture of Tripeptide-1

Basic Introduction

Tripeptide-1 is a tripeptide composed of the amino acids glycine, histidine, and lysine. As a naturally occurring tripeptide, it is found in plasma, urine, saliva, and other bodily fluids. This peptide is produced by various cells, including fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and macrophages, and is also present in high concentrations in platelets and certain tissues such as the liver and brain. Tripeptide-1 appears to have a high affinity for copper and may regulate numerous biological processes, including wound healing, tissue repair, and immune response. Furthermore, Tripeptide-1 has been suggested to play a role in regulating ion channels, enzymes, receptors, and gene expression. The levels of this peptide appear to fluctuate over the course of a cell's lifespan, and it has been proposed that these changes contribute to cell aging. Consequently, this may lead to impaired tissue repair and regeneration, as well as a decline in immune function. Tripeptide-1 may stimulate collagen production and play a role in wound healing and skin cell function. Additionally, it may possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. [1]

Safety Assessment

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviewed the safety of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics. These ingredients function primarily as skin conditioning agents. The ingredient name "palmitoyl oligopeptide," previously listed in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, has been retired because it was vague and indeterminately represented two other ingredients. Its definition also lacked any indication of the peptide sequence, a point the Expert Panel deemed critical for a safety declaration. Palmitoyl oligopeptide is now represented in the Dictionary by either Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Gly-His-Lys peptide sequence) or Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly peptide sequence). Tripeptide-1, in its palmitoylated form, corresponds to the Gly-His-Lys sequence. Unfortunately, the Dictionary lists two possible sequences for "Hexapeptide-12," and relevant safety data were found for only one. Therefore, this safety assessment addresses only Hexapeptide-12 and its derivatives (e.g., Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12) that contain the Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly sequence. Specifically, the safety of ingredients with the Ala-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly-Val sequence is not addressed. Consequently, the data and conclusions herein do not apply to other peptide sequences. In this report, "Hexapeptide-12" refers exclusively to the Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly sequence. Tripeptide-1 is further discussed in this assessment, which also includes data on a trade-name material containing Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, as well as other materials where Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 or Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is the sole oligopeptide component. The Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly sequence is an elastin peptide, while the Gly-His-Lys sequence—the core of Tripeptide-1—is a liver growth factor peptide and a fragment of type I collagen. [2]

Clinical research

Clinical investigations on animal models have suggested that Tripeptide-1 may accelerate wound healing through various pathways. [v, vi] Research suggests that when paired with a high-dose helium-neon laser, Tripeptide-1 may potentially hasten the contraction of wounds and the development of granular tissue, in addition to boosting the activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhancing the growth of blood vessels. According to several studies' speculations, the collagen dressing inside Tripeptide-1 may promote faster wound healing in healthy mice and diabetic animals. Wounds were speculated to have higher levels of glutathione and ascorbic acid, improved epithelialization, increased collagen production, fibroblasts, and mast cell activation. Additionally, wounds allegedly showed signs of enhanced epithelialization.

Reference

[1] Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero J M, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration[J]. BioMed research international, 2015, 2015(1): 648108.

[2] Johnson Jr W, Bergfeld W F, Belsito D V, et al. Safety assessment of tripeptide-1, hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics[J]. International journal of toxicology, 2018, 37(3_suppl): 90S-102S.

You may like