QBio · Pre-Clinical Research
A pre-clinical laboratory study conducted in collaboration with the Nano Medicine and Tissue Engineering Laboratory at the University of Texas at Arlington, examining the QBio Elixir formulation in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.
Reported findings
Three assays were performed on adult human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa). In each, the QBio Elixir-exposed cells were compared against untreated cells serving as the negative control.
2×
Cell proliferation
MTS assay · over 4 days
15×
Cell migration
Scratch assay · 12 hours
~2×
Collagen I signal
Immunofluorescence · 2 days
Assay 01
Assay 02
Assay 03
Materials and methods
Complete protocols, cell lines, reagents, and catalog numbers, as reported by the study authors.
Adult Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFa) (ATCC® PCS-201-012), up to passage 10, were cultured in complete Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin.
Cells were maintained in a humidified incubator with 95% air and 5% CO₂ at 37 °C. The medium was changed every other day until the cells reached confluence. Sub-culturing was performed when the HDFa culture reached 80% confluency. For in vitro studies and assays, a low-serum medium with 1% FBS was used.
Cells were seeded at a density of 2,000 cells per well in 96-well plates and incubated overnight. The following day, cells were exposed to QBio Elixir at various concentrations, diluted from 1× to 1:50×, and maintained for up to four days. Media and fresh QBio Elixir were replenished every two days.
Cell growth was assessed using an MTS assay according to the manufacturer's instructions (CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay, Promega, Madison, WI). Untreated cells served as the negative control. Cellular growth was represented as a percentage relative to untreated cells at 24 hours.
Reported by the authors under the standard literature term “wound healing (scratch) assay” — a cell-culture migration measurement.
Cells were seeded at a density of 20,000 cells per well in a 48-well plate and incubated overnight. Gaps were created using a 200 µL pipette tip. Cells were washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and incubated with QBio Elixir at an optimized concentration (1:5 dilution) in low-serum medium for 12 hours at 37 °C.
Phase-contrast images were taken to measure the initial gap distance at 0 hours and the degree of gap closure at 12 hours. Untreated cells served as the negative control. Cell migration was quantified by calculating the average distance traveled relative to the initial gap distance. For each sample in each replicate, six distances were selected and measured to determine migration.
Cells were seeded at a density of 10,000 cells per well on µ-Slide 8-well chambers (80826, ibidi). The next day, cells were exposed to QBio Elixir at a 1:5 dilution for two days, then fixed in cold methanol and permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100. After washing with PBS for five minutes three times, cells were blocked at room temperature with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in 0.1% Tween 20 in PBS (TPBS).
Cells were then incubated overnight at 4 °C with primary antibodies: rabbit anti-human Elastin Polyclonal Antibody (1:200, 15257-1-AP, ProteinTech Group), rabbit anti-human Collagen I Antibody (1:200, PA1-26204, Invitrogen), or rabbit anti-human MMP1 Antibody (1:50, 10371-2-AP, ProteinTech Group), diluted in 1% BSA in TPBS.
Following washing, cells were incubated with secondary antibody Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (FITC) (1:1000, Abcam, ab6717) in 1% BSA in TPBS for one hour at room temperature. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI for five minutes. Finally, slides were washed, mounted, and imaged using an Echo fluorescent microscope.
Scope
This work was conducted entirely in vitro, in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Cell-culture models are a standard early step in cosmetic ingredient science, but they do not replicate intact human skin, and results in culture do not establish outcomes in people.
Observations here describe how cells behaved in laboratory conditions relative to untreated controls. They are not measurements of the finished product's performance on skin, and they are not claims of any therapeutic or medical effect.
The study authors note that further research, including clinical evaluation, would be needed to re-affirm these observations and to understand the formulation's role as part of a cosmetic regimen.
Bibliography
The observations and interpretations described on this page are based on pre-clinical in vitro laboratory studies in cultured cells. QBio Elixir is a topical cosmetic intended exclusively for single-patient topical use as part of professional post-procedure cosmetic care. It is not a drug and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. It is not intended for injection or intravenous delivery. The effects of the product in humans have not been established, and individual results may vary. For professional use in accordance with the product Application Protocol. Manufactured by Re-Gen Active Lab, an FDA-registered facility in Irving, Texas. Analytical and laboratory work referenced here was performed at the Nano Medicine and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, University of Texas at Arlington; reference to the university indicates the location of testing and does not constitute endorsement.