Centella asiatica Tissue Culture-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Multifaceted Approach to Skincare Applications

Background: Centella asiatica has long been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Asian medicine. Its wound healing, skin improvement, and neuroprotective properties have been widely studied. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by cells and contain bioactive components with therapeutic properties. Objectives: This study aims to characterize EVs isolated from C. asiatica tissue culture and investigate their therapeutic properties using in-vitro assays. Methods: EVs were isolated from C. asiatica tissue culture and their properties were characterized by cell-free chemical assays, which were free radical, metal chelating assays, and total polyphenol content. Mouse melanoma and human fibroblast/keratinocyte cell cultures were used in the following assays: cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular melanin and tyrosinase assay, skin integrity and pro-inflammatory gene expression level by quantitative PCR. Results: C. asiatica EVs were found to contain high levels of polyphenol, which contributed to their radical scavenging and metal chelating properties and mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular ROS. The EVs were also able to reduce intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and upregulated skin barrier genes procollagen type I, aquaporin 3, and filaggrin. The inhibitory effect of C. asiatica EVs on inflammation was evident in downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory genes COX2 and IL-6, as well as nitric oxide production. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of C. asiatica EVs warrant further studies as novel formulations in skin care applications.