Applications of Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid in Promoting Cellular Anti-Aging

Background: 

Under external environmental stimuli, normal cellular metabolism can be disrupted, leading to the production of a large number of oxygen free radicals. These free radicals can affect cells and the extracellular matrix at multiple levels, resulting in cellular aging. Therefore, adding antioxidant ingredients to skincare products can effectively eliminate and reduce oxygen free radicals, achieving antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Traditional skincare products often include various vitamins or tea polyphenols as antioxidant active ingredients. The antioxidant mechanisms of these vitamins are similar, primarily relying on their strong reducing properties to directly neutralize harmful free radicals.

 

Cutting-Edge Research: Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid with Anti-Aging Effects

 

Research Methods:

 This study thoroughly evaluated the response of RAW264.7 macrophages to tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (TDNs). The results indicated that TDNs exhibited no significant cytotoxicity. By inhibiting MAPK phosphorylation, TDNs could reduce the expression of NO, IL-1β (interleukin-1β), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, TDNs could inhibit LPS-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis by upregulating the mRNA expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). These findings suggest that TDNs possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, with high bioavailability and significant potential for application.

 

Experimental Results:

 The research team successfully synthesized and characterized a tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) with cell anti-aging properties. This drug, assembled from four DNA single strands, is simple and efficient to produce. The anti-aging process of tFNA involves two mechanisms: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant processes. tFNA promotes cellular anti-inflammation by reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the expression of iNOS gene and iNOS protein. It promotes cellular antioxidant effects by enhancing the gene expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

Research Conclusion:

 Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, effectively delaying cellular aging. Thus, using it as an active ingredient in skincare products and skin dressings has great development potential.

 

Published Literature: 

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2018, 3421, IF=9.979 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b17928

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects of Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures via the Modulation of Macrophage Responses