A new C-xylopyranoside derivative induces skin expression of glycosaminoglycans and heparan sulphate proteoglycans.

Severe structural changes, including deterioration of the mechanical properties of the dermis, occur during skin aging. It is well known that the degradation of the extracellular matrix contributes to the physical changes in aged skin. Whereas many studies have been devoted to age-related alterations of collagen fibrils, far less attention has been paid to another major family of extracellular matrix components, the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs). Heparan sulphate-proteoglycans, (HS-PGs), a subclass of the PG family that decreases during aging, regulate proliferation and proteolysis as well as matrix adhesion and assembly, and thus, may have important functions in skin. These PGs may represent important targets for dermo-cosmetology in fighting skin aging. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of a new C-xylopyranoside derivative (C-beta-D-xylopyranoside-2-hydroxy-propane simplified as C-Xyloside) to improve HS-PGs expression in human skin. In an organotypical model of corticosteroid atrophic human skin, characterized by a decrease of PGs expression, treatment with C-Xyloside improved expression of HS-PGs.