02.06.24
Amorepacific, in collaboration with the School of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, has unveiled groundbreaking research demonstrating the impact of lymphatic activation on skin health and the potential skin lymphatic improvement through fermented ginseng ingredients.
This research, introducing new possibilities for skin aging and homeostasis maintenance using Lab-on-a-chip technology, was published in “NPG Asia Materials,” an international journal by the scientific journal Nature.
The lymphatic system, a crucial organ for maintaining homeostasis and activating the immune system through circulation and waste removal, plays a significant role in skin health, experts says. Disruption in lymphatic circulation within the skin can lead to problems and accelerated aging. However, directly observing changes in living tissue's “most profound” lymphatic systems has been challenging, experts say. The R&I Center at Amorepacific and Professor Chung Seok's laboratory at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, have been conducting extensive research to elucidate the interdependent relationship between lymph circulation and skin.
Lab-On-A-Chip Systems
The joint research team utilized state-of-the-art human skin structure replication technology and Lab-on-a-chip systems, a type of organoid technology enabling the observation of networks between various cells. In this research, they cultivated human-derived skin cells and 3D lymphatic forming cells under optimal conditions to create a Skin-Lymph-on-a-chip. This enabled the replication of networks between human skin and lymphatic vessels, visually observing the impact of substances applied to the skin on lymphatic formation and activity.
This system, which mimics the network between human skin and lymphatics, can observe the impact of substances applied to the skin on lymphatic formation and check molecular biological changes. Amorepacific's Lymphanax, made from ginseng naturally fermented for 500 hours and rich in the lymph-activating component Gypenoside XVII, has been proven to strengthen the skin barrier and aid internal skin circulation, as observed in the Skin-Lymph-on-a-chip system. The joint research team concluded that Lymphanax aids in forming healthy lymphatic vessels within the skin and strengthens the skin barrier through additional analysis, including AI algorithms.
"This research has, for the first time, clarified the correlation between human skin and lymphatic vessels, and particularly, it is meaningful as it confirms the efficacy of ginseng ingredients, a subject of long-term research by Amorepacific,” said Suh Byung-fhy, chief technology officer of Amorepacific's R&I Center. “Based on the achievements in the skin biofield from this research, Amorepacific will continue to strive to provide innovative solutions for the health and beauty of customers worldwide."
Meanwhile, Lymphanax, whose efficacy was confirmed in this study, is currently being used as a critical ingredient in the Sulwhasoo brand.