Natural peptide technology to help in developing new skincare products

Based on the body’s natural defence system, UK-based Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) has developed a new natural peptide formulation with a potential skin care product.

DSTL’s peptide-in-cream, which is free of chemical antiseptic, claims to work like skin healing creams, by killing bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus.

The technology is said to have stemmed from a research that discovered a way of providing antimicrobial properties of proteins, which are normally found in the sub-dermal layers, in the form of creams for application on the skin surface.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are claimed to be natural proteins that form part of the body’s immune system to help fight against pathogens, thereby offering germ killing and wound healing capabilities to combat even multidrug-resistant micro-organisms.

DSTL researchers found that the cream formulation allows AMPs to be delivered in their active form to the skin surface.

The efficacy of the cream showed that when AMP – LL37 was delivered to the skin, the peptides played an important role in the first line of defence against infection at sites of skin inflammation and wounds.

Peptide-in-cream technology can be used for making skin creams for health workers who are exposed to pathogens; skin repair and anti-ageing creams; and also over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments for first-aid response and treatment of rashes, scrapes, wounds, acne, and burn or fungal infections.

DSTL’s researchers said that the cream also may help in treating certain specific and difficult skin-related conditions such as diabetic ulcers.

Ploughshare Innovations, the company that licenses intellectual property developed at DSTL, said that the new technology could help cosmetics industry to develop a new class of skincare and treatment products.