Skin Penetration of Active Folate Salts and Their Effects on Wound Healing In Vitro: New Approaches for Dermal Folate Application
March 2023
TLDR Folate salts penetrate skin well and improve wound healing, suggesting potential for skin treatments.
The study investigates the skin penetration and effects on wound healing of three folate salts: L-FTHF di-arginine, L-FTHF Ca, and L-MTHF dicholine, using *in vitro* reconstructed epidermal skin models. Results show that these folates penetrate well into and through the skin, unlike commonly used folic acid. They do not disturb skin cell viability or barrier function and actually improve it, promoting the proliferation and migration of epidermal cells, which is crucial for wound healing. Additionally, epidermal cells can convert L-FTHF into the biologically active L-MTHF. These findings suggest potential for topical folate applications in treating skin diseases and preventing skin aging.