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What are exosomes?

Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by cells, with a size of about 30 to 150 nanometers. They coat with a variety of cell signaling substances, such as proteins, lipids, DNA, RNA, etc., with a lipid bilayer structure. Different cell sources have different compositions and proportions. Exosomes were discovered more than fifty years ago, but they were just considered only cellular metabolites and no further research was conducted at that time. Until three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2013 for their research on exosomes, exosomes gradually received attention in the biomedical industry. Whether they are exosomes can be determined by identifying the protein structures such as CD9, CD63, and CD81 on the lipid bilayer membrane of the vesicles.

 

According to research, exosomes have the following effects:

• Recovery treatment effect for atopic dermatitis
• Promote wound healing and repair skin barrier
• Promote the synthesis of collagen and elastin

 

Related disputes

• The main concern of the ingredients from human or animal is the risk of infection
• Relevant toxicological information (carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, side effects, etc.) is not yet complete
• The positioning is unclear. Is it cosmetics, medical equipment or drugs?

 

Regulatory information

• The FDA still does not recommend it for use in cosmetics, believing that the effect is still controversial and lacks large-scale research evidence to support it.
• Japan and South Korea are the only countries in the world that have conditionally access to the ingredients of skin care products derived from human bodies.
• Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a draft revision of the "List of Prohibited Ingredients in Cosmetics" in December 2023, which is expected to be implemented on July 1, 2024. In the current regulations, the original "Prohibition of the use of cells, tissues and products of human origin" adds "Except for individual exosomes that have been reviewed and approved by the central health authorities on individual manufacturers" → It indicates that not all exosomes can be used in cosmetics and must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare before use.