Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Injection

Core Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Skin Ageing

Cutis ageing falls into three categories: chronological intrinsic ageing, photoageing and chronic inflammatory ageing. Among them, chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammageing) acts as a hidden core trigger accelerating cutis deterioration. External irritants such as ultraviolet radiation, environmental pollution, sleep deprivation and impaired cutis barrier activate the intracellular NF-κB nuclear transcription factor signalling pathway in cutis cells, prompting keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts to secrete large quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Excess pro-inflammatory cytokines initiate a cascade of damaging reactions.

Targeted Regulation of the NF-κB Pathway to Block Inflammatory Signal Transduction

Modified with lipophilic palmitoyl groups, it rapidly penetrates cell membranes to enter the cytoplasm, where it specifically binds to IκB kinase. This binding inhibits the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB proteins, further preventing nuclear translocation of the NF-κB transcription factor and cutting off the transcriptional expression of inflammatory genes at the source.

In vitro cellular assay data demonstrate that in human cutis cell models stressed by UVA irradiation, it at concentrations of 1–10 ppm reduces cellular IL-6 secretion by 40%–60% and IL-8 secretion by 30%–50%, with zero cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations and outstanding safety performance. Unlike glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory agents, this product exerts physiological signal modulation without suppressing the skin's normal immune defence functions. It only eliminates pathologically overactivated chronic inflammation, balancing potent anti-inflammatory effects with cutaneous immune homeostasis.

Correlation Between Skin Glycation and Glycation-Induced Dull Ageing

Skin glycation constitutes the second major ageing pathway independent of inflammation. Excess free glucose in human blood and cutaneous tissue undergoes non-enzymatic glycation with collagen and elastin without catalytic enzymes. The reaction first generates reversible early glycation products, which eventually convert into irreversible advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

AGEs harden, embrittle and yellow collagen fibres, depleting their elasticity and moisture-locking capacity. Deposited within the epidermis, they render the cutis uniformly sallow, dull and lacklustre - a condition commonly known as "yellow complexion". Furthermore, AGEs further activate the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, creating a superimposed dual-ageing effect of glycation plus inflammation that drastically accelerates skin ageing.

Additionally, the peptide elevates intracellular activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, eliminating massive reactive oxygen species generated during glycation and interrupting the synergistic oxidative-glycation damage cascade.Human clinical trials reveal that after four consecutive weeks of mesotherapy injection with it, AGE deposition in the stratum corneum of subjects decreases by an average of 22.7%, yielding marked improvement in sallow cutis tone.

Suppression of Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation for Uniform, Luminous Complexion

Skin dullness arises not only from glycation-related yellowing but also post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Chronic cutaneous inflammation stimulates melanocytes to overproduce melanin, triggering facial pigmented spots, uneven tone and dull post-acne marks.

By integrating dual anti-inflammatory and anti-glycation mechanisms, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 injection establishes an all-round endogenous anti-ageing system covering inflammation control, glycation inhibition, collagen protection and hyperpigmentation suppression, compensating for the limitations of single-function injectables.

For patients with photoageing: it alleviates inflammatory and oxidative damage triggered by ultraviolet radiation;

For sallow cutis caused by sleep deprivation and high-sugar diets: it efficiently clears glycation adducts to reverse dullness;

For fragile cutis post aesthetic procedures: it rapidly relieves minimally invasive inflammatory reactions, shortens post-treatment recovery time and lowers the risk of post-procedure hyperpigmentation.

Compared with topical peptide formulations, the injectable dosage form acts directly on the dermis while bypassing the stratum corneum barrier, accelerating onset speed by 3–5 times and sustaining efficacy for 14–21 days. It caters to modern consumer demands for efficient, mild aesthetic anti-ageing treatments free from traumatic risks.