{
  "abstract": "Dermatological senescence, characterized by functional deterioration and the accumulation of senescent fibroblasts, has prompted the investigation of safe and effective anti-ageing agents. The present study investigates the role of Tripeptide-3 (T-3) and Hexapeptide-9 (H-9) in countering D-galactose-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Using a D-gal-induced senescence model, we found that non-cytotoxic concentrations of T-3 and H-9, both individually and in combination, led to a substantial reduction in senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and concomitant downregulation of p21 expression. Notably, the combination exhibited superior anti-senescence effects. Mechanistically, both peptides activated the AMPKα pathway by increasing phosphorylation at Thr172, with their combination showing enhanced activation. It is of particular significance that the AMPKα inhibitor Compound C served to nullify these protective effects, thereby establishing AMPKα activation as a critical contributing pathway in the combined anti-senescence effect of T-3 and H-9. This study provides novel evidence that T-3 and H-9 inhibit fibroblast senescence via AMPKα activation, thus providing a mechanistic basis for the development of peptide-based anti-ageing skincare formulations.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, No. 4221, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen 361102, China",
    "Xiamen 943 Cosmetics Co., Ltd., No. 363 Shangtang Community, Neicuo Town, Xiang’an District, Xiamen 361101, China",
    "Pur Source (Guangdong) Life Science Research Co., Ltd., No. 173 Yingbin Avenue, Huadu District, Guangzhou 510800, China"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuan Cao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jun Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yongkuan Pan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Liming Hou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yan Jin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Changwei Cai"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fuquan Jiang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Quan-Cheng Chen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4m1q5z4wbyjgk.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/cosmetics13050238",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/13/5/238",
  "id": "4m1q5z4wbyjgk",
  "issns": [
    "2079-9284"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13050238",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "QD1-999"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2737|Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212148702",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4m1q5z4wbyjgk.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T14:21:26Z",
      "native_id": "0420e560f3824d8e9df954ca5315f09d",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13050238"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2737|Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Combined Effects of Tripeptide-3 and Hexapeptide-9 in Activating AMPKα to Inhibit D-Galactose-Induced Human Dermal Fibroblast Senescence",
  "title_text": "Combined Effects of Tripeptide-3 and Hexapeptide-9 in Activating AMPKα to Inhibit D-Galactose-Induced Human Dermal Fibroblast Senescence",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T14:21:26Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4m1q5z4wbyjgk",
  "venue": "Cosmetics",
  "versions": []
}