Plant Stem Cells – Source of Healing
and Youth
By MyChelle Dermaceuticals
Plant Stem Cell
Plant Stem Cells
Stem cells have been a topic of increased research and
advancement in the past decade—along with passionate debate from those
who tout their health-promoting potential and those who warn of the
slippery ethical slope they represent. But very recently, scientists
have found a way to gain some of the health benefits of stem cells
without the moral ambiguity: by harvesting them from plants and fruit
instead of human tissue. These plant stem cells show remarkable promise,
and they’re already proving themselves powerful skin healers.
The Multipurpose Cell
While most cells in an organism have a specific
purpose (a brain cell is specialized for the brain; a skin cell is
specialized for the skin), stem cells are full of potential. They have
the ability to develop into various types of cells, and they also can
repair and replace damaged cells by dividing almost limitlessly. When
they divide, the new cells can either be stem cells or they can become
specialized cells in a process called differentiation. These new,
specialized cells are usually the same types of cells as those near
which they reside (in other words, a stem cell in the skin would
generate new skin cells).
The reason scientists are so excited about the use of
stem cells is that so many diseases and disorders involve cell damage
and death. Having access to cells that can proliferate seemingly
endlessly—and transform into the types of cells the body needs—offers
amazing potential for treating disease.
First-Aid for the Skin
One exciting area of research for stem cells is in
treating skin problems, such as wrinkles, visible capillaries, and sun
damage. Like all areas of the body, the skin contains stem cells. In the
basal layer of the epidermis (that’s the deepest layer of the outer
surface of the skin); stem cells divide and replace lost or dying cells.
They also repair the skin when it suffers injury. The epidermis is in a
constant state of renewal—sloughing cells every single day—so it
requires non-stop cell replacement. Therefore it’s essential that we
optimize epidermal stem cell population throughout our lives, even as we
age.
However, as our skin faces its daily
assaults—environmental toxins, excess sun exposure, improper
nutrition—we run the risk of overwhelming the epidermal stem cells. When
this happens, stem cells might not be able to keep up with the demand of
cellular turnover, resulting in an excess of damaged cells and,
eventually, aged and damaged skin.
Nature’s Renewal: Plant Stem Cells
Recently, researchers have begun looking to plants as
a source for stem cells, and those plant stem cells have proven to be
effective in supporting the skin’s cellular turnover.
Uttwiler Spätlauber Apples
Like human stem cells, plant stem cells develop
according to the environment they’re in. The idea for using plant stem
cells in skin care stemmed from an unusual source: an almost-extinct
apple tree in Switzerland. Originally bred in the 18th century for their
incredible shelf life, Uttwiler Spätlauber apples shrank into obscurity
as modern shipping and storage caused longevity to take a backseat to
flavor. Even more astonishing than the fruit’s long-lasting freshness
was its ability to heal itself: When an apple was scratched while still
on the tree, the skin would quickly regenerate and close the wound.
 Luckily, the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple and the stem
cells that gave it its staying power caught the attention of researchers
just in the nick of time—only a few trees remained in the world when
scientists began to research its health benefits.
Researchers found a way to extract stem cells from the
fruit and generate new ones in a lab, and they then started to
investigate how human cells would react to them. The results were
astonishing: They found the apple’s stem cells could stimulate human
stem cell proliferation by 80 percent and could protect human stem cells
against UV damage. In experiments on human skin, researchers discovered
that a cream containing the apple extract and liposomes from lecithin
could decrease wrinkle depth by an average of 8 percent in just two
weeks and by 15 percent in four weeks.
New Frontiers
Since the discovery of the Uttwiler Spätlauber’s
remarkable skin benefits, leaders in the natural skin care industry have
been looking for other sources of plant stem cells. After much research,
two more plants have proven to have exciting and unique stem cell
potential.
 Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)
Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is an herbaceous
plant that grows on mountain ranges from the Pyrenees and Alps to the
Himalayas. Over time it has developed many natural defenses in order to
survive the extreme climates in which it grows. It has powerful
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent study, 20
participants applied a cream containing edelweiss stem cells to their
faces twice daily for 40 days. The cream was found to reduce wrinkle
depth of the eye contour area by 15 percent after only 20 days.
Edelweiss stem cells also seem to be helpful in preventing collagen
loss, firming and restructuring the skin, and preventing aging and sun
damage.
 Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a small herbaceous
plant that is found in southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa. Gotu Kola
grows in wet, marshy, high-altitude areas. In Indian traditional
medicine it is used for the healing of wounds, burns and varicose
ulcers. Gotu Kola stem cells are helpful in firming and restructuring
the skin, addressing stretch marks, controlling cellulite, and
supporting good blood vessel tone.
Benefits of Plant Stem Cells
- Protect longevity of skin stem cells
- Delay biological aging of essential cells
- Preserve the youthful look and vitality of the skin
- Promote skin’s ability to regenerate (PhytoCelTec™
– Apple Fruit Stem Cells)
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Harnessing the Power of Plant
Stem Cells
Plant stem cells are perhaps the most promising field
of research in skin care today. As always,
MyChelle Dermaceuticals is at
the forefront of harnessing this new technology to create natural skin
care that shows visible results without the use of toxins. Adding plant
stem cells to our products is driving our advanced research and view of
skin care to the next level.
MyChelle is continually pioneering new frontiers in
skin care. Emerging as the first in the natural market to introduce
plant stem cell innovation shows our dedication and passion for
bioactive and effective skin care. Three new advanced formulas from
MyChelle Dermaceuticals contain these incredible Plant Stem Cell
bioactive ingredients.
Apple Brightening Serum is a powerful serum with these
PhytoCellTec Apple Fruit Stem Cells, Melanosatine5, Algowhite and
Applephenon, to effectively diminish hyper pigmentation due to excessive
sun exposure and age. PhytoCellTec has been shown to stimulate and
protect human stem cells while reducing the depth of wrinkles through
the promotion of skin regeneration. This plant stem cell is a key
ingredient that can delay the biological aging mechanism.
Fabulous Eye Cream is an advanced eye cream formula
now with Edelweiss Plant Stem Cells, which help reduce the visible signs
of aging. The Edelweiss Plant Stem Cells provide outstanding antioxidant
activity and inhibit collagenase, thus limiting collagen degradation and
loss of skin firmness. Also high in phytosterols, amino acids, and
polysaccharides, Fabulous Eye Cream is moisturizing and nutrient rich,
which helps rejuvenate and hydrate delicate eye tissue. Research shows
that when applied twice daily for 20 days, Fabulous Eye Cream can reduce
wrinkle depth by 15 percent.
Capillary Calming Serum is a bioactive serum that
soothes and relieves skin discomfort with the power of cutting-edge Gotu
Kola Plant Stem Cells. This particular stem cell culture efficiently
inhibits hyaluronidase production by up to 90 percent, allowing the skin
to maintain healthy levels of hydration, tone, firmness, and elasticity.
Coupled with other incredible ingredients, this powerful formula also
helps relieve redness, inflammation, and irritation.
For more information on
MyChelle Dermaceuticals, click
here.
For more information on
Apple Brightening Serum, click
here.
For more information on
Fabulous Eye Cream, click here.
For more information on
Capillary Calming Serum,
click here.
References:
i Blanpain C, Fuchs E. Epidermal stem cells of the
skin. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2006;22:339-373.
ii Racila D, Bickenbach JR. Are epidermal stem cells unique with respect
to aging? Aging (Albany NY). 2009;1(8):746-750.
iii Schmid D, Schurch P, Belser E, Zülli F. Plant stem
extract for cell longevity of skin and hair. SOFW Journal.
2008;134(5):30-35.
iv Ibid.
v Ibid.
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