Anti-Aging Peptide Ingredients

– Snap 8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-3)

SNAP-8 is manufactured by Lipotec and distributed by Centerchem Inc. SNAP-8, an anti-wrinkle octapeptide, is an elongation of the famous Argireline® (Acetyl Hexapeptide). INCI Name: Water (Aqua), Acetyl Octapeptide-3. An earlier version of Snap-8 is snap-7.

SNAP-8 reduces the depth of wrinkles on the face caused by the contraction of muscles of facial expression, especially in the forehead and around the eyes. It is a safer, more economical and milder alternative to Botulinum Toxin (Botox, a Acetyl Octapeptide-3), topically targeting the same wrinkle-formation mechanism in a very different way. Snap-8 reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by the contraction of muscles of facial expression, decreasing neuronal excitability by SNARE complex (which is essential for the muscle contraction) destabilisation  Muscles responsible for the facial expression are contracted when they receive neurotransmitters released at the neuromuscular synapsis. An overstimulation of the facial muscles, due to an excess of these chemical signals, leads to a greater skin strain. After the age of 30, first wrinkles start to appear as a consequence of such muscle contractions. The study of the basic biochemical mechanism of anti-wrinkle activity led to the revolutionary hexapeptide argireline®, which has taken the cosmetic world by storm. Continuous research on the treatment of such wrinkles has driven Lipotec to snap-8. This peptide is a new analogue of the N-terminal end of SNAP-25 (the native protein), that competes with the native protein for a position in the SNARE complex.

According to Lipotec Group, the in vitro efficacy of Snap-8 in blocking SNARE complex formation, in inhibiting the release of catecholamine (a neurotransmitter) in chromaffin cells, and the modulation of glutamate release in a neuron cell culture were studied and compared to native protein Snap-25. {Glutamate is the most excitatory abundant neurotransmitter in the nervous system and its release is used as a validated assay to determine the release of acetylcholine.). In vivo efficacy was also studied. The anti-wrinkle efficacy evaluation with skin topography analysis were performed to measure the effectiveness of a cream containing 10% snap-8 stock solution, applied twice a day. Silicon imprints were obtained from around the eyes of 17 women volunteers pre-test and after the 28 day treatment. Analyses of the imprints were performed by confocal profilometry. The maximum reduction value of wrinkle depth was 63%.

SNAP-8 can be incorporated in cosmetic formulations such as emulsions, gels, sera, etc. where removal of the deep lines or wrinkles in the forehead or around the eye area is desired. Recommended concentration: 3-10% (the disclosed stock solution contain 0.05% Acetyl Octapeptide-3).