When we talk of stem cells we mean un-programmed or undifferentiated biological cells that possess the ability to develop into new cells to perform particular functions. These cells can renew themselves by means of self- regeneration. At the same time, they are able to replenish themselves by multiplying or proliferating endlessly. Most advanced studies on plant stem cells, which are dissimilar from the contentious human stem cell, have shown that they can promote the human skin with their valuable benefits in several ways. Plant stem cells have raised hopes of solving several skin-related problems such as sun damage, wrinkles and visible capillaries by supporting the cellular modifications in human skin. Precisely speaking, plant stem cells are the most recently discovered effective and harmless ingredients to thwart the premature aging process of our body.
It has been proven that inappropriate nutrition, toxins present in the environment and too much exposure to the sun all lead to premature aging of the skin. They are also responsible for making the skin dry and nutrient deficit. In order to deal with such problems, several skin care product manufacturers are increasingly incorporating the stem cells of calendula, plantain and several other plants into their products.
Available documents show that since the earliest times, humans have been using various natural substances with a view to keep their skin moisturized and youthful. However, in most cases they were not aware why a particular method yielded the desired results or why some did not. For instance, we are aware that Cleopatra used to take regular milk baths to preserve as well as promote her beauty. In those days people were possibly not aware how taking milk baths helped to make the skin look youthful and moisturized. However, today we know that milk contains lactic acid, which works as a mild exfoliate.
In present times, the consumer enjoys a great advantage - they are not only aware why the ancient natural skin care methods worked, but also have access to pioneering scientific discoveries, which make these natural skin care ingredients all the more effective. Currently, stem cells are being extracted from various flowers, for instance those of Plantago lanceolata, Calendula officinalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Plantago major.
The concentration prepared using the plant cell technology enables the manufacturers offer a product to the consumers that contains a potent dosage of the active constituents of the blossoms they have been extracted from. This concentration is, however, not present in the blossoms in their raw form. As a result, the final products offer the consumers the best of both the worlds - clinical and botanical.
The plant stem cells are also known as undifferentiated or meristematic cells, which are like chameleons and not only bear the plant's complete DNA gene expression, but also possess the ability to transform or differentiate into various other types of cells that aid the plant to renew and redevelop. This particular aptitude of these cells makes them very useful in numerous therapeutic as well as cosmetic applications. At the same time, it is necessary to decide on and identify the appropriate conditions for extracting the plant stem cells that are in a dormant stage.
Eventually, when an individual applies the final product externally to their skin, it works to activate the human skin to renew by itself. This action is enhanced further due to the interaction of elevated proportions of increasing vitamins, antioxidants, kinetin, amino acids as well as mineral salts. All these substances work in synergy to enable the skin to repair its damages by itself.
Mibelle Biochemistry, an independent business within the Mibelle Groups serving nutrition, personal care and home care, states that the first research in plant stem cell was undertaken in Switzerland in the 18th century employing an exceptional type of apples, which had been developed via hybridization so that they store well even before refrigeration was introduced. This plant has a self-preserving nature that suggested unusually lengthy period of the cells and this attribute encouraged researchers to undertake the use of its cells in use in cosmetics. Later, researchers also used butterfly bush, alpine rose and even coneflower for the purpose and achieved successes in the field of plant stem cell technology.
Currently, scientists are also extracting plant cells from new powerhouse like calendula, plantain, narrow leaf plantain as well as the Siberian ginseng, all of which offer numerous health benefits for the human skin, for instance providing effectual protection from oxidative stress and light damage. At the same time, these plant stem cells offer a revitalizing and tonic effect on the weary skin. The deep, firming effect of these stem cells helps to replenish the suppleness of the skin and also restore the shape in the region of the nasolabial areas and the jaw line, particularly in the skin of elderly people.
In modern times, scientists have been able to identify the naturally occurring botanicals containing substantial antioxidant activities that are effective in protecting the skin stem cells form oxidative stress, restrict inflammation, naturalize the detrimental free radicals, and also reverse the adverse impacts of photo aging. As a result, cosmetic products enclosing extracts obtained from the plant stem cells possess the aptitude to encourage healthy cell propagation and, at the same time, protect the human cells from damages caused by ultra-violet (UV) rays.
On the other hand, when compared to the epidermal stem cells, the stem cells from plants are totipotent. In other words, the plant stem cells possess the ability to redevelop a completely new plant altogether. In fact, currently scientists are able to haul out tissues from botanicals by employing the ground-breaking plant cell technology. Hence, it is possible to harness the aptitude of the plants to redevelop or renew stem cells for the benefit of humans, especially for their skin care.
