New insight into anti-wrinkle treatment: Using nanoparticles as a controlled release system to increase acetyl octapeptide-3 efficiency

Botulinum neurotoxins represent a revolution in cosmetic science because of their extraordinary and long-term anti-wrinkle properties. Nevertheless, high neurotoxicity severely limits their usage. Therefore, design and validation of new non-toxic molecules which mimics the Botox are needed. Here, acetyl octapeptide-3 is used which mimics the effect mechanism of botulinum neurotoxin to reduces the depth of wrinkles, was chosen as an alternative molecule. Glutamic acid containing poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate–methacryloylamidoglutamic acid) [p(HEMAG)] nanoparticles were synthesized for controlled release of acetyl octapeptide-3 to increase the efficiency on the related area. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to state the morphological characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles, and the Fourier transform infrared was used to characterize chemical structures; additionally, the dimensional analysis was carried out by using a zeta-sizer device, and then, characterized nanoparticles were used for loading acetyl octapeptide-3. Time, pH, ionic strength, temperature and concentration experiments were performed to optimize the adsorption conditions of the acetyl octapeptide-3 to the nanoparticles. The maximum acetyl octapeptide-3 adsorption capacity onto nanoparticles was found 220.69 mg/g. The pH and temperature experiments were carried out to follow-up the release conditions of acetyl octapeptide-3-loaded nanoparticles. Lastly, cytotoxicity tests were done by using Alamar Blue method and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Assay. Our results imply that the developed nanocosmetic material is non-toxic, efficient and cost-effective and it is promising to use in anti-wrinkle treatment. Graphical abstract