Using both human and laboratory studies, researchers at Peking University, MCL Skincare and Hangzhou Shiguang Xinya Biotechnology sought to find out if peony callus extract (PCE) could not only soothe skin inflammation caused by UVB radiation, but also help repair DNA damage and reduce signs of skin ageing.
How does PCE work?
The study focused on the extract’s ability to down-regulate key inflammatory factors. UVB radiation, a major cause of premature skin ageing, triggers an increase in pro-inflammatory markers in skin cells. These markers are known to cause redness, swelling, and even pain.
In lab tests, HaCaT (high sensitivity of human epidermal keratinocytes) cells exposed to UVB radiation showed elevated levels of these inflammatory genes. When treated with PCE at…