Trojan Q10: The Game-Changer in Skin Mitochondria Therapy
Mitochondria are intracellular organelles and their crucial function is to generate approximately 90% of cell of energy. Mitochondria generate cell energy in forms of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by mitochondria respiration.
This process is also one of the primary sources of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Under normal conditions, these species are reduced to water by detoxifying enzymes. Unfortunately, because of aging, the balance between mROS and detoxifying enzymes is compromised, leading to mROS accumulation.
The level of mROS progressively increases, together with DNA damage. Mitochondrial activity results depleted, leading to the appearance of morphological alterations and also significant decrease of ATP levels.
Coenzyme Q10 is a critical component of mitochondria respiration, participating to ATP production and neutralizing the excess of mROS. However, the level of CoQ10 also declines with aging. It is clear that preserving an optimal level of CoQ10 represents a winning strategy in the fight against skin aging.
In fact, CoQ10, first, helps in the maintenance of sufficient cellular energy levels and, second, provides antioxidant protection against ROS. CoQ10 also boosts extra cellular matrix proteins synthesis and fibroblasts turnover. Optimal level of CoQ10 can be easily restored by Q10 supplementation, but in order to fully exploit Q10 potential, it is necessary to grant that it arrives to the mitochondria. In fact, conventional actives based on Q10 acts mainly as anti-oxidant, neglecting Q10 activity at mitochondria level. This occurs because Q10 is mostly consumed by ROS outside and inside cells, so the amount of Q10 reaching the mitochondria is not significant.
At Infinitec, we have recently developed a cutting-edge technology, named Trojan Technology. Trojan technology is able to surgically and effectively deliver Q10 to fibroblast mitochondria. In fact, Trojan Technology displays a dual-mode, extremely precise targeting ability: first targets fibroblasts, and once internalized into their cytosol, it targets mitochondria. When Q10 is encapsulated in Trojan particles, then its release occurs at mitochondrial level.
A schematic representation of Trojan Q10 is shown in Figure 1. Trojan Q10 combats the decline of cell energy by restoring optimal mitochondrial activity, neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases collagen synthesis. The skin looks rejuvenated, with increased elasticity and firmness.
We have proved that Trojan Q10 is able to enhance CoQ10 skin penetration (70% of the product localized at dermis level in 2 hours). Moreover, we have demonstrated both fibroblasts internalization and preferentially localization of Trojan Q10 at mitochondrial level (Figure 2).
In order to prove the activity on senescent fibroblasts, we have determined how Trojan Q10 affects mitochondria activity (measured by mitochondria membrane potential) and controls mROS accumulation. The main results are shown in Figure 3A-B.
Trojan Q10 is able to increment mitochondria activity (i.e. membrane potential) by a 14%, without inducing mROS generation, while free Q10 does not show any activity. This confirms the expected and superior re-energizing capacity of Trojan Q10, together with its anti-oxidant one.
Trojan Q10 is also able to boost Collagen IV and VII synthesis by a 40%, contrasting skin collapse by aging. Finally, the clinical efficacy of Trojan Q10 as anti-aging has been evaluated in terms of firmness and elasticity.
18 Volunteers (40-60 years old) have been submitted to a 56-day topical treatment with 1.5% Trojan Q10 and 1% Free Q10 in the facial area. Trojan Q10 displays significant anti-aging effects, through significant increase of skin firmness by 10% and elasticity by 14 %, in higher levels than treatment with Free Q10.
We can also appreciate a significant reduction of fine lines in the case of Trojan Q10 application (25% reduction of lines area and length, Figure 4). It is worth to point out that Trojan Q10 contains only 0.02% of Q10, so in Trojan Q10 we have 3000 times less Q10 than in free Q10.
We can conclude that Trojan Q10 changes the game in the delivery of active ingredient to the mitochondria and Q10 supplementation. Trojan Q10, we start where others stop.
Natascia Grimaldi
Global Applied Innovation Manager
Delivery Systems
Infinitec (an Evonik company)
Gonca Tuncer
Business Line Manager Personal Care
Eigenmann & Veronelli
Filiz Sevimli
Product Manager Fragrances
Eigenmann & Veronelli
