# Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora

## TL;DR

This study shows that a plant-based compound from Paeonia lactiflora can improve skin health and reduce aging effects by enhancing skin cell activity and reducing inflammation.

## Contribution

The study introduces Low-Peony PDRN as a novel plant-derived alternative to salmon-based PDRN with anti-aging potential.

## Key findings

- Low-Peony PDRN enhanced skin cell proliferation and migration while upregulating extracellular matrix-related genes.
- It reduced reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators, improving epidermal barrier function in clinical trials.
- Topical application improved skin elasticity and reduced water loss in a skin damage model.

## Abstract

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), a DNA fragment mixture, exerts biological effects via adenosine A2A receptor and salvage pathway activation. Here, Paeonia lactiflora-derived PDRN (Peony PDRN) is proposed as a plant-based alternative to salmon-derived PDRN. While P. lactiflora is known for its medicinal properties, the biological functions of Peony PDRN have not been characterized. To validate and optimize its efficacy, we systematically compared the biological activities of three molecular weight groups of Peony PDRN (high, medium, and low) using in vitro assays and clinical studies. The low-molecular-weight fraction (Low-Peony PDRN) markedly enhanced skin cell proliferation and migration, upregulated extracellular matrix-related genes (COL1A1, COL5A1, ELN, and FBN1), and promoted keratinocyte differentiation and epidermal barrier formation by increasing COL7A1, IVL, FLG, and OCLN expression. It also reduced reactive oxygen species levels and suppressed key inflammatory mediators. Clinically, topical application of Low-Peony PDRN for 2 weeks markedly reduced transepidermal water loss in a sodium lauryl sulfate-induced skin damage model, enhancing barrier recovery (n = 10). Periorbital skin elasticity improved after 4 weeks of treatment (Approval No. Intertek IRB-202505-HR(1)-0001, 20 June 2025). These results indicate that Low-Peony PDRN is a promising plant-derived biomaterial of pharmacological and cosmetic significance, with potential to address skin aging.