Comparative in vitro evaluation of elastogenic compounds for pharmacological modulation of extracellular matrix production in human dermal fibroblasts

This data collection contains research data underlying the results of a scientific research article. Below is a short explanation of the experiments and the content of the collection. Background: Maintaining a proper balance between collagen and elastic fibers is essential for the skin’s structure, appearance, and functionality. With growing interest in skin regeneration and anti-aging, discovering compounds that promote elastogenesis remains a significant challenge. Existing treatments often show limited success, emphasizing the need for more advanced strategies in wound healing and regenerative medicine. Goal of the research: We investigated a range of elastogenic compounds using primary human dermal fibroblasts. We selected retinoic acid (RA), dexamethasone (DXM), minoxidil sulfate (MNX), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), copper sulfate (CuSO₄), dill extract (DE), a stable vitamin C derivative (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, MAP), heparin (HEP), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These compounds were tested under identical conditions to compare their biological activity, aiming to identify the most promising candidates for skin-related applications. Our analysis focused primarily on their effects on elastogenesis, while also evaluating their impact on collagen production, fibrotic responses, safety, and cytotoxicity in vitro.