Peptides as anti-aging agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Objectives: 1-To assess the effectiveness of peptides in reducing skin wrinkles compared to placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
2-To evaluate the impact of peptides on skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, brightness, texture, and density.
Introduction: Skin aging is characterized by the development of wrinkles, loss of hydration, decreased elasticity, and other structural changes. Peptides, bioactive molecules composed of short amino acid chains, have been increasingly investigated for their potential role in reducing these aging-related alterations. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of peptides as anti-aging agents on key dermatological parameters, including wrinkles, skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, brightness, texture, and density.
Materials / method: A thorough systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We employed a random-effects model based on the DerSimonian and Laird technique, using the inverse variance method. Forest plots were generated to illustrate the results, including direct comparisons between different types of peptides and their modes of application. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test, with a significance threshold of p < 0.005, and I².
Results: Peptide treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in skin wrinkles, with a mean difference of 0.3518 (95% CI: -0.0021 to 0.7057, p = 0.0514). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that polypeptides exhibited the most pronounced effect on wrinkle reduction (MD = 0.9083) compared to placebo (MD = 0.1837). Peptides also significantly improved skin hydration (MD = 5.7971, p < 0.0001), with tripeptides showing the greatest increase (MD = 16.5). The impact on skin elasticity was less marked, with a non-significant mean difference of 0.0996 (p = 0.1536).
Conclusion: Peptides, particularly polypeptides and tripeptides, demonstrate significant efficacy in reducing wrinkles, improving skin hydration, and enhancing brightness, with lesser but positive effects on skin elasticity, roughness, and texture. To conclude, peptides represent a promising intervention for age-related skin changes, though further high-quality studies are needed to clarify their long-term effects and optimize their application in dermatological practice.
