Plant Stem Cells in Cosmetics: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Plant regeneration at the cellular and tissue level is a unique process. Similar to animals, the stem cells in plants have properties that help stimulate and regenerate plants after injury. The unique properties of plant stem cells have been a recent area of interest and focus both in developing new cosmetics and studying how these extracts/phytohormones will influence animal skin. This special report focuses on the current evidence-based trends in plant stem cell-based cosmetics and sheds light on the challenges that we need to overcome in order to see meaningful changes in human skin using topical cosmetics derived from plant stem cells.

Antigenotoxic, Anti-photogenotoxic, and Antioxidant Properties of Polyscias filicifolia Shoots Cultivated In Vitro

“…Furthermore, the multiplication of selected, highly productive cells or organs directly engaged in biosynthesis of desired compounds can allow the lowering of their downstream extraction and purification costs [20,21]. One of the most rapidly developing research areas in plant biotechnology is plant stem cell cultures for cosmetic formulation (See Reference [22] and references herein). The application of stem cells derived from a cultured plant that is callus and/or cell suspension cultures with fresh, freeze-dried cells; extracts; or isolated compounds can reduce wrinkle depth, enhance elastin synthesis, and reduce sebum production rate [22].…”

“…One of the most rapidly developing research areas in plant biotechnology is plant stem cell cultures for cosmetic formulation (See Reference [22] and references herein). The application of stem cells derived from a cultured plant that is callus and/or cell suspension cultures with fresh, freeze-dried cells; extracts; or isolated compounds can reduce wrinkle depth, enhance elastin synthesis, and reduce sebum production rate [22]. However, the main concern is stability and reproducibility in the composition of stem cells or their extracts resulting from in vitro cultures.…”

Plant cell culture as emerging technology for production of active cosmetic ingredients

“…Moreover, in vitro cultured plant cells are characterized with fast growth, and the ability to accumulate large amount of uniform biomass for a short period of time [19,20]. The perspective to obtain natural phytochemicals by using an environmentally sustainable biosynthetic platform made plant cell culture technique exceptionally attractive for the production of active ingredients for high added values "green" cosmetic formulations [27][28][29][30]. Additionally, plant cell culture technology offers a reliable and powerful production platform for continuous supply of contamination-free, phytochemically uniform biomass from herbal, aromatic, medicinal, and even from rare and threatened plant species [26].…”

“…Additionally, plant cell culture technology offers a reliable and powerful production platform for continuous supply of contamination-free, phytochemically uniform biomass from herbal, aromatic, medicinal, and even from rare and threatened plant species [26]. The perspective to obtain natural phytochemicals by using an environmentally sustainable biosynthetic platform made plant cell culture technique exceptionally attractive for the production of active ingredients for high added values "green" cosmetic formulations [27][28][29][30]. It should be noted, that active cosmetic ingredients, obtained by the plant cell culture technology are popularized among the customers under the name "plant stem cells".…”

Anti-aging Effects of Select Botanicals: Scientific Evidence and Current Trends

“…Any plant stem cells in cosmetic products are dead cells, but secondary metabolites from plant stem cells may offer benefits to aging skin. Companies using "plant stem cells" in their products are generally using the extracts from these cells, rather than the cells themselves [95]. These plant-derived metabolites a have high binding affinity in humans and can compete with endogenous ligands, which results in inhibition or induction of metabolic or signal transduction pathways [96].…”