Study: Effects of Placenta Extract on Fibroblast Proliferation

SEOUL, Korea—A recent study found human placental extract and ascorbic acid had similar effects on fibroblast proliferation but, placental extract did not significantly increase TGF-beta1 protein expression (Int J Cosmet Sci. 2009;31(3):240). In order to investigate the effects of placental extract vs. ascorbic acid on fibroblast proliferation and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 expression, cultured human fibroblasts were treated with placental extract or L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate magnesium. Fibroblast proliferation was determined by MTT assay, and TGF-beta1 protein expression was analyzed by ELISA. The proliferation of fibroblasts increased significantly after treatment with placental extract at concentrations of 0.32 percent and 0.64 percent and with L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate magnesium at concentrations of 1.0 and 10 mmol L-1. Placental extract demonstrated no significant effects on TGF-beta1 expression; however, TGF-beta1 expression significantly increased after treatment with ascorbic acid at concentrations of 1.0 and 10 mmol L-1.