Application of vitamin K2 as mitochondrial regulatory factor in skin aging resistance

Abstract

The invention discloses application of vitamin K2 in a cosmetic or skin care composition as a mitochondrial regulation factor in skin aging resistance. As a mitochondrial function multi-dimensional regulatory factor, the vitamin K2 regulates skin cell targets such as NAD < + > / NADH redox homeostasis and the like by activating the enzyme activity of a mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, systematically improves skin cell energy metabolism disorder and the senescence process through multi-target synergistic effect aiming at the skin senescence problem, effectively resists skin senescence, and has the efficacy of improving skin aging. Therefore, the requirements of consumers on precise anti-aging are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical fields of anti-aging and cosmetics, and particularly to the application of vitamin K2 as an activating factor in preventing, delaying or resisting the skin aging process by regulating the mitochondrial function of skin cells. Background Art

[0002] The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the most complex and multifunctional self-regulating organ. As a barrier between the internal and external environments, its unique strategic position determines its crucial role in maintaining the body's homeostasis and ultimately ensuring the survival of the organism. This makes the skin the organ most vulnerable to environmental factors such as pollution, temperature, and sunlight radiation. Biological reactions triggered by various internal and external factors may lead to a gradual loss of skin function and structure, ultimately resulting in skin aging. Skin aging is a direct manifestation of human aging, which is the result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Improving skin aging is crucial and essential for maintaining the normal physiological functions of the skin and people's mental health.

[0003] In recent years, anti-aging research has advanced from apparent phenomena (such as wrinkles and sagging) to the cellular and molecular levels. Among the "Twelve Hallmarks of Aging" proposed by the journal CELL, mitochondrial dysfunction is listed as one of the core drivers of aging. Mitochondria are present in almost all eukaryotic cells and are multifunctional organelles that generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation, providing the energy required for cell metabolism. Therefore, they are often referred to as the "power plants" of cells and are crucial for maintaining cell life and tissue metabolism. The state of healthy skin is related to the dynamic control of mitochondrial mass, including mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fusion, mitochondrial fission, and mitophagy. The mitochondria of skin cells are not only damaged by internal aging mechanisms but also attacked by external stimuli. The decrease in its oxidative phosphorylation efficiency directly leads to a reduction in ATP production, thereby accelerating skin aging (Quan, T.; Li, R.; Gao, T. Role of Mitochondrial Dynamics in Skin Homeostasis: An Update. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 1803). As an emerging field, cellular energy anti-aging initially had only a vague concept. However, with the in-depth study of life sciences and the molecular mechanisms of the skin, improving mitochondrial function is considered a promising skin anti-aging strategy.

[0004] The demand for skin anti-aging is undergoing a profound transformation from basic care to precise and scientific anti-aging. With the upgrading of consumption, the popularization of consumer education, and the in-depth research in the field of skin science, anti-aging has become the core demand in the skincare market. Consumers are no longer satisfied with traditional basic functions such as moisturizing and antioxidant, but instead pursue a "precise anti-aging" solution with cell-level targets as the anti-aging mechanism. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the core driving factors of cell aging, manifested as a decrease in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, a reduction in ATP production, an accumulation of ROS, and a loss of membrane potential. Currently, the interventions targeting mitochondria include respiratory chain complex activators. Most of the research focuses on electron carriers such as coenzyme Q10 or lipoic acid, but their synergistic activation effect on complexes I, II, IV, and V is limited. It also includes the supplementation of NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide. Although it can increase the level of NAD+, it has not been found to synergistically activate the respiratory chain complexes. The existing intervention strategies mostly focus on single targets and lack a coordinated plan for systematically regulating the activity of respiratory chain complexes, the NAD+ / NADH, and the membrane potential homeostasis.

[0005] As a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin K2 has long been used in the fields of bone and cardiovascular health. In recent years, studies have found that the unique structure of vitamin K2 endows it with the function of a mitochondrial electron carrier, which can improve the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation reaction and the efficiency of ATP synthesis. However, in the existing technology, on the one hand, the research on the mitochondrial function of vitamin K2 (MK-7) is mostly limited to non-human or non-skin cell models (such as Drosophila, neuron cells, etc.); on the other hand, in terms of application, there is currently a lack of effective skin cell mitochondrial activators, and the combination of the mitochondrial energy activation mechanism and the anti-aging effect of human skin has not been realized, so as to be applied in cosmetics to achieve its application in skin anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and increasing skin firmness.

[0006] Currently, in the field of cosmetics, anti-aging products urgently need a solution that takes mitochondrial energy activation as the core and combines science and practicality. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the limitations in the field of cosmetics and other fields where skin anti-aging is limited to basic functions such as moisturizing and antioxidant, and the limitations of the single intervention strategy for mitochondrial dysfunction. A new technical solution based on a multi-dimensional regulator of mitochondrial function is provided to systematically improve skin cell energy metabolism and the aging process, so as to "precisely anti-age" the skin, achieving the effects of maintaining and / or increasing skin firmness and elasticity, maintaining and / or reducing skin wrinkles, and preventing skin aging.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned invention purpose, the present invention provides an application of vitamin K2 in a composition for makeup or skin care as a mitochondrial regulator in skin anti-aging.

[0009] As a mitochondrial function multi-dimensional regulatory factor or substance, vitamin K2 regulates its mitochondrial function through at least one skin cell target, acts on multiple targets synergistically against skin aging problems, effectively resists skin aging, and effectively delays the aging phenotypes of skin cells (such as wrinkle formation, loss of elasticity, and dark circles under the eyes).

[0010] The vitamin K2 described above is selected from vitamin K2 (MK-4), vitamin K2 (MK-7), or vitamin K2 (MK-8); preferably selected from vitamin K2 (MK-7). More preferably, the vitamin K2 is trans-vitamin K2 (MK-7), and has the following chemical structural formula:

[0011] The vitamin K2 (MK-7) can be obtained by biological fermentation method. Through steps such as fermentation, filtration, freeze-drying, extraction, recrystallization, centrifugation, and drying, vitamin K2 (MK-7) is obtained. For the method of obtaining high-purity vitamin K2 (MK-7), reference can be made to CN119263970 A.

[0012] As a mitochondrial function multi-dimensional activation factor, vitamin K2 is used in cosmetics or skin care products, can systematically improve the energy metabolism disorder of skin cells, multi-dimensionally regulate mitochondrial function, and significantly improve the ATP generation efficiency of skin cells. Based on the multi-dimensional mitochondrial energy activation mechanism, the present invention provides a solution with "vitamin K2 activating mitochondrial energy" as the core for skin anti-aging. Taking vitamin K2 (MK-7) as an example, as a mitochondrial function multi-dimensional regulatory factor, it includes at least multi-dimensional regulatory functions such as targeting and activating mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, regulating the metabolic homeostasis of NAD+ / NADH, repairing the collapse of membrane potential, and improving ATP production efficiency, acting on and activating skin cells, specifically including: 1) Vitamin K2 (MK-7) can simultaneously enhance the enzyme activities of respiratory chain complexes, including complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), complex II (succinate dehydrogenase), complex IV (cytochrome C oxidase), and complex V (ATP synthase), and systematically improve the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency.

[0013] 2) Vitamin K2 (MK-7) can increase the concentration of oxidized / reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) per unit protein (hereinafter referred to as NAD+ / NADH), and optimize the redox state of the electron transport chain.

[0014] 3) Vitamin K2 (MK-7) can up-regulate the expression of sirtuin 1 (hereinafter referred to as SIRT1), affecting the process of skin aging. SIRT-1 is one of the subtypes of the Sirtuins family known as the longevity protein. It is a highly conserved NAD+-dependent deacetylase, and its activity depends on the NAD+ level. Enhancing the activity of SIRT1 is considered to be one of the important factors in delaying the process of skin aging.

[0015] 4) Vitamin K2 (MK-7) can protect cells from the mitochondrial membrane potential collapse induced by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (hereinafter referred to as CCCP), maintain the transmembrane proton concentration difference across both sides of the inner mitochondrial membrane, and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. A normal mitochondrial membrane potential is a prerequisite for maintaining mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and generating ATP. The stability of the mitochondrial membrane potential is beneficial to maintaining the normal physiological functions of cells.

[0016] 5) Vitamin K2 (MK-7) can significantly improve the production efficiency of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in skin cells.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the use of the present invention, in the cosmetic or skin care product composition, the amount of vitamin K2 in the composition can be from 0.0001% to 5% of the total weight of the composition, such as 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%. The above composition added with vitamin K2 can be made into an appropriate dosage form, which can be water, water-alcohol or oil solution, essence-type solution or dispersion, emulsion of liquid or semi-liquid consistency of the emulsion type (obtained by dispersing the fat phase in the aqueous phase (O / W) or vice versa (W / O)), or cream type, aqueous or anhydrous gel, microemulsion, microcapsule, microgranule, or soft, semi-solid or solid consistency suspension or emulsion, lotion, etc. of ion and / or non-ionic vesicular dispersion, and is topically applied to the skin.

[0018] Beneficial effects: Based on the improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and human efficacy by vitamin K2, the present invention combines the mitochondrial electron carrier function of vitamin K2 with the anti-aging efficacy of human skin, providing new ideas and solutions for precise anti-aging; fully utilizes the unique structure of vitamin K2 to endow it with the mitochondrial electron carrier function, fundamentally improving the core mechanism of aging, mitochondrial dysfunction; can comprehensively and effectively delay the process of skin aging, maintain and / or increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin, maintain and / or reduce skin wrinkles, prevent and / or treat signs of skin aging; with mitochondrial energy activation as the core, provides a solution with both scientificity and practicality, and can meet the needs of consumers for precise scientific anti-aging. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 : Changes in the enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V in untreated fibroblasts (BC) and fibroblasts treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7); Figure 2 : Changes in the NAD+ / NADH concentration per unit protein in fibroblasts treated with UVA exposure (NC) and fibroblasts treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7); Figure 3 : Changes in the relative expression level of SIRT1 in untreated keratinocytes (BC) and keratinocytes treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7); Figure 4 : Fluorescence images of mitochondrial membrane potential. The stronger the green fluorescence intensity, the lower the membrane potential; Figure 5 : Changes in the fluorescence intensity of JC-1 monomers per unit in keratinocytes induced by CCCP (NC) and keratinocytes treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7); Figure 6 : Changes in the ATP content in fibroblasts treated with UVA exposure (NC) and fibroblasts treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7); Figure 7 : Fluorescence images of ATP content. The stronger the red fluorescence intensity, the higher the ATP content; Figure 8 : Schematic diagram of the test positions for skin elasticity (Cutometer); Figure 9 : Schematic diagram of the image analysis test for the mandibular line angle. In the diagram, ∠1 is the mandibular line angle of the facial image. Detailed implementation manners

[0020] The following further illustrates the technical solutions of the present invention through specific embodiments. However, it is necessary to point out that the following embodiments are only used for describing the content of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention.

[0021] Example 1. Regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex enzyme activities by vitamin K2 (MK-7) As a mitochondrial regulatory factor, one of the action targets of vitamin K2 (MK-7) is to improve the enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in fibroblasts and systematically improve the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

[0022] According to the test grouping, when the seeding rate of fibroblasts in the 6-well plate reaches 40% - 60%, grouped drug administration treatment is carried out. In the blank control group (BC), 2 mL of culture medium is added to each well, and in the sample group, 2 mL of culture medium containing 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) (trans, BioYoung™ MK-7, Nanjing Shengde Baitai Biotechnology Co., Ltd., the same below) is added to each well. After drug administration, it is placed in a CO2 incubator (37 °C, 5% CO2) for incubation for 24 h. After incubation, the cells are collected, and the enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V are detected respectively according to the mitochondrial colorimetric assay kit. The results are presented in Figure 1 as shown in the figure. The values shown in each column in the figure are the enzyme activities of the corresponding mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes tested. (Compared with the BC group, the significance is indicated by *, P -value < 0.05 is indicated as *, P -value < 0.01 is indicated as **) The fibroblasts in the blank control group (BC) showed that the enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V were 3.89, 1.40, 1.22, and 13.33 U / gprot respectively. The enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V of the fibroblasts treated with 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) increased significantly, being 4.57, 2.00, 1.44, and 16.90 U / gprot respectively, and the promotion rates were 17.48%, 42.86%, 18.03%, and 26.78% respectively.

[0023] It can be seen that vitamin K2 (MK-7) shows a significant increase in the enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V of fibroblasts, thereby improving the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency.

[0024] Example 2. Regulation of the NAD+ / NADH concentration of unit protein by vitamin K2 (MK-7) As a mitochondrial regulator, vitamin K2 (MK-7) can optimize the redox state of the electron transport chain by increasing the NAD+ / NADH concentration of unit protein in fibroblasts.

[0025] Normal fibroblasts were treated with 0.0010%, 0.0015%, and 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) respectively. After treatment, they were placed in a CO2 incubator (37 °C, 5% CO2) for incubation for 24 h. According to the test grouping, except for the blank control group (BC), the other groups were irradiated with UVA, and the irradiation dose was 30 J / cm 2After irradiation, the cells were placed in a CO2 incubator (37 °C, 5% CO2) and cultured for an additional 24 h. After the second culture, the cells were collected and the NAD+ / NADH concentration per unit protein was measured using a NAD+ / NADH assay kit. The results are shown in Figure 2 as follows. The values shown in each bar in the figure are the NAD+ / NADH concentrations of the corresponding unit proteins tested. (Compared with the BC group, significance is indicated by #, where P-value < 0.05 is denoted as # and P-value < 0.01 is denoted as ##; compared with the NC group, significance is indicated by *, where P-value < 0.05 is denoted as * and P-value < 0.01 is denoted as **). The negative control (UVA exposure, NC) showed an average NAD+ / NADH concentration per unit protein of 35.92 μM / mg prot. Treatment of fibroblasts with 0.0010%, 0.0015%, and 0.0020% of the vitamin K2 (MK-7) of the present invention significantly increased the average NAD+ / NADH concentration per unit protein, to 47.68, 60.70, and 70.83 μM / mg pro, respectively, with enhancement rates of 32.74%, 68.99%, and 97.19%, respectively.

[0026] It can be seen that vitamin K2 (MK-7) showed a significant increase in the NAD+ / NADH concentration per unit protein of fibroblasts, optimizing the redox state of the electron transport chain.

[0027] Example 3. Regulation of SIRT1 expression by vitamin K2 (MK-7) As a mitochondrial regulator, another target of vitamin K2 (MK-7) is to upregulate SIRT1 expression.

[0028] Normal keratinocytes were treated with 0.0005% and 0.0010% of vitamin K2 (MK-7), and cultured overnight after treatment. After culturing, the cells were harvested and RNA was extracted for cDNA reverse transcription experiments. Fluorescence quantitative analysis was performed using a q-PCR instrument, and data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8. The results are shown in Figure 3 as follows. The values shown in each bar in the figure are the relative expression levels of the corresponding SIRT1 tested. (Compared with the BC group, significance is indicated by *, P -value < 0.05 is denoted as *, P -value < 0.01 is denoted as **). The relative expression level of SIRT1 in the blank control (BC) was 100%. The relative expression levels of SIRT1 in the treatment groups with 0.0005% and 0.0010% vitamin K2 (MK-7) were significantly increased, reaching 138% and 148% respectively, with the promotion rates being 38% and 48% respectively.

[0029] It can be seen that vitamin K2 (MK-7) can increase the expression of SIRT1 in keratinocytes and has the potential to delay cell senescence.

[0030] Example 4. Regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential by vitamin K2 (MK-7) As a mitochondrial regulator, vitamin K2 (MK-7) can also protect cells from CCCP-induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and maintain the transmembrane proton concentration difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

[0031] The principle of mitochondrial membrane potential measurement is to detect the change of mitochondrial membrane potential through the fluorescent dye JC-1. When the mitochondrial membrane potential is high, JC-1 aggregates in the mitochondrial matrix to form polymers, producing red fluorescence; when the membrane potential is low, JC-1 cannot aggregate and forms monomers, producing green fluorescence.

[0032] Normal keratinocytes were treated with 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) and cultured overnight after treatment. According to the test grouping, except for the blank control group, CCCP was added to the cell culture medium in proportion and the cells were treated for 20 minutes. The mitochondrial membrane potential of the treated cells would be completely lost, and green fluorescence was observed after JC-1 staining; data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8. The results are presented in Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and

[0033] Figure 4 It was shown that the green fluorescence intensity of keratinocytes treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7) was significantly reduced. Figure 5 The values shown in each column in

[0034] are the corresponding JC-1 monomer fluorescence intensities measured (compared with the NC group, significance is indicated by *, P-value < 0.05 is indicated by *, P-value < 0.01 is indicated by **). The negative control (CCCP-induced, NC) showed a JC-1 monomer fluorescence intensity of 31259, and the JC-1 monomer fluorescence intensity in the treatment group with 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) was significantly decreased to 25424, a decrease of 18.66%. It can be seen that vitamin K2 (MK-7) showed a protective effect on CCCP-induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse in keratinocytes, could effectively maintain the transmembrane proton concentration difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane, and was helpful for maintaining the normal physiological functions of cells and mitochondria.

[0035] Example 5. Vitamin K2 (MK-7) Improves the Efficiency of ATP Generation As a multi-dimensional mitochondrial regulator, vitamin K2 (MK-7) can improve the ATP generation efficiency of skin fibroblasts.

[0036] Normal fibroblasts were treated with 0.0015% and 0.0020% vitamin K2 (MK-7) respectively, and after the treatment, they were placed in a CO2 incubator (37°C, 5% CO2) for incubation for 24 h. According to the test grouping, except for the blank control group, the other groups were irradiated with UVA, and the irradiation dose was 30 J / cm 2 . After the irradiation, they were placed in a CO2 incubator (37°C, 5% CO2) for continued culture for 24 h. After the second culture, the cells were collected, and the ATP content was detected according to the CellMeter Live Cell ATP Detection Kit. The staining results were observed and photographed under a fluorescence microscope, and the collected pictures were analyzed using Image-ProⓇ Plus software. The results are presented in Figure 6 、 Figure 7 .

[0037] Figure 6 The values shown in each column in Figure 7 are the average IOD values of the corresponding tests, and their numerical values reflect the content of ATP (compared with the BC group, the significance is indicated by #, P-value < 0.05 is indicated by #, P-value < 0.01 is indicated by ##; compared with the NC group, the significance is indicated by *, P-value < 0.05 is indicated by *, P-value < 0.01 is indicated by **). The negative control (UVA exposure, NC) showed a relative average IOD value (the IOD value reflects the content of ATP) of 0.44, and the average IOD values of the treatment groups with 0.0015% and 0.0020% of the vitamin K2 (MK-7) of the present invention increased significantly, reaching 0.58 and 0.70 respectively, and the promotion rates were 31.82% and 59.09% respectively. Figure 7 The red fluorescence in

[0038] is ATP, and the red fluorescence intensity of the fibroblasts treated with vitamin K2 (MK-7) is stronger, indicating a higher ATP content.

[0038] It can be seen that vitamin K2 (MK-7) significantly improves the ATP generation efficiency of skin fibroblasts and has the potential to improve the physiological function of mitochondria.

[0039] Example 6. Cosmetic Composition Containing Vitamin K2 (MK-7) Using methods known to those skilled in the art, different parts A, B, and C were mixed together according to the following formula to prepare a cosmetic composition.

[0040] Cosmetic composition containing vitamin K2 (MK-7)

[0042] Comparative Example 1. The difference between Comparative Example 1 and Example 6 is that it does not contain vitamin K2 (MK-7), and the other components and preparation methods are the same as those of Example 2.

[0043] Example 4. Skin anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects of vitamin K2 (MK-7) The compositions in Example 6, in which the addition amount of vitamin K2 (MK-7) is 0.05%, and the composition of Comparative Example 1 were subjected to anti-wrinkle / tightening efficacy tests on the face / neck. The test methods are as follows: Thirty volunteers (backed up to 34) were selected for a half-face and half-neck design. During the test period, the volunteers only used the cosmetic composition of Example 6 on the designated half-face and neck on one side, and the cosmetic composition of Comparative Example 1 on the other half-face and neck on the other side, and replaced their own cream and neck cream products; if they usually do not use cream and neck cream products, the above two compositions were added to their daily skincare routine. Used twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) for 8 consecutive weeks.

[0044] Skin rapid optical imaging tests (AEVA-HE) were performed on both sides of the face and neck at the initial value, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after product use. The analysis parameters were Ra and Rz of cheek wrinkles, marionette lines (perioral lines), and neck lines; skin elasticity tests (Cutometer) were performed on both sides of the cheekbones. The test positions are shown in Figure 8 , and the analysis parameters were R1 and F4; facial imaging (VISIA) and analysis (Image-Pro plus) were performed on the face, and the analysis parameter was the mandibular line angle (analyzed using a standard light source photo). The analysis position of the mandibular line angle is shown in Figure 9 .

[0045] The results are shown in Tables 1-5. In Tables 1-5, "+" indicates a significant difference (p < 0.05), and "--" indicates no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05).

[0046] Table 1: Results of neck line test by skin rapid optical imaging (AEVA-HE) (n = 30)

[0047] In Table 1, Ra is the arithmetic mean of the absolute values of the distances from each point on the measured skin surface contour line to the contour center line within the entire evaluation length range, reflecting the overall smoothness of the skin surface. The smaller the Ra value, the smoother the skin surface and the less likely it is to form obvious wrinkles. Rz is the arithmetic mean of the distances between the highest peak and the deepest concave point in each of the 5 equal segments into which the skin surface contour line is divided, reflecting the extreme roughness of the skin surface and being an important indicator for evaluating the unevenness of the skin surface. The smaller the Rz value, the flatter the skin surface and the smaller the wrinkle depth.

[0048] Table 2: Test Results of Cheek Wrinkles by Skin Rapid Optical Imaging (AEVA-HE) (n = 30)

[0050] Table 3: Test Results of Marionette Lines (Perioral Wrinkles) by Skin Rapid Optical Imaging (AEVA-HE) (n = 30)

[0052] Table 4: Results of Skin Elasticity Test (Cutometer) (n = 30)

[0053] In Table 4, R1 is the elastic deformation amount that the skin immediately recovers after the suction is released. The smaller the R1 value, the faster the skin can return to its original state after deformation and the better the elasticity. F4 is the viscoelastic fatigue parameter, that is, the energy loss parameter after the skin is repeatedly deformed. The smaller the value, the stronger the anti-fatigue property of the skin.

[0054] Table 5: Results of Facial Imaging (VISIA) and Analysis (Image-Pro plus) (n = 30)

[0055] The mandibular angle refers to the angle between the skin mandibular line and the horizontal line (such as Figure 9 ∠1 in), and the larger the angle, the tighter the facial mandibular line.

[0056] It can be seen from Tables 1 - 5 that for the test population group of the composition of Example 6, after using the cosmetic composition of Example 6 for 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, significant improvements occurred in neck wrinkles, cheek wrinkles, marionette lines (perioral wrinkles), skin elasticity, and mandibular angle compared with before use, especially after 8 weeks of use. For Comparative Example 1, vitamin K2 (MK-7) was not added, and there was no or very little improvement effect on the skin compared with the composition of Example 6, showing a significant difference, indicating that vitamin K2 (MK-7) is the main product in the cosmetic composition of Example 6 that plays the roles of anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and firming.

[0057] In summary, the present invention provides a brand-new cosmetic / anti-aging technical solution for preventing and / or treating signs of skin aging. Using vitamin K2 (MK-7) as a mitochondrial multi-dimensional regulator, it can improve mitochondrial dysfunction in multiple aspects, enhance the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), thereby effectively delaying the aging process of skin cells, reducing skin wrinkles, and enhancing firmness.

[0058] The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. Use of vitamin K2 in a cosmetic or skin care composition as a mitochondrial regulator in skin anti-aging.

2. The application according to claim 1, characterized in that The vitamin K2 is selected from vitamin K2 (MK-4), vitamin K2 (MK-7), or vitamin K2 (MK-8).

3. The application according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vitamin K2 is selected from vitamin K2 (MK-7).

4. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is trans-vitamin K2 (MK-7).

5. The application according to claim 3, wherein The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is used to enhance the enzyme activities of respiratory chain complexes I, II, IV, and V in skin cells.

6. The application according to claim 3, wherein The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is used to increase the concentration of oxidized / reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide per unit protein in skin cells.

7. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is used to up-regulate the expression of deacetylase 1 in skin cells.

8. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is used to protect skin cells from carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone-induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse.

9. The application according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vitamin K2 (MK-7) is used to increase the adenosine triphosphate production efficiency in skin cells.

10. The application according to claim 1, wherein, In the cosmetic or skin care composition, vitamin K2 accounts for 0.0001% to 5% of the total weight of the composition.

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