The effects of scallop shell extract on collagen synthesis

Previous observations showed that scallop shells contain organic components that have various useful applications for skin. In this study, the effect of the organic components of scallop shell (scallop shell extract) on collagen metabolism is investigated. Collagen metabolism is tightly controlled by the collagen degrading matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP). Treatment of human skin fibroblast cells with the scallop shell extract increased the mRNA expression levels of type I collagen, MMP-1 and TIMP-1, suggesting that the scallop shell extract may activate collagen metabolism in skin fibroblast cells. Sirius red staining and the colorimetric quantification of collagen in fibroblast cells demonstrated that the scallop shell extract increased collagen content by approximately 1.3-fold. In vivo studies also revealed that the topical application of the scallop shell extract to rat dorsal skin increased the collagen content in the skin tissue section. These results suggest that the scallop shell extract may be effective for the treatment of photoaged and aging skin, which undergo collagen loss.