Topical application of sh-oligopeptide-1 and clinical trials with cosmetic preparations: risk or fraud?

Abstract

Background

sh-oligopeptide-1 is a cosmetic that is considered to be the bioequivalent of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF).

Objective

The systematic search and selection of the information available on sh-oligopeptide-1, and field research on laboratories manufacturing cosmetics and the legal regulation of their products.

Methods

Specialised search in Medline and Google Scholar (March 2023). A total of 22 references were obtained and 12 articles were selected for analysis, 7 of which were included in Medline. 9 articles correspond to clinical trials that use sh­oligopeptide-1 as equivalent to a functional recombinant human EGF (hr-EGF). The manufacturers are investigated and they are requested to provide scientific information.

Results

Using an inactive ingredient, clinical trials are published with favourable results in order to treat diabetics and cancer patients. These trials do not follow medical standards. Active EGF is not a cosmetic, rather it is a potent unauthorised drug. Likewise, sh-oligopeptide-1 is not a functional EGF, and it is not authorised for medical treatments. Topical hr-EGF is not authorised as a medication in any concentration, except for clinical trials. However, sh-EGF (sh-oligopeptide-1) is authorised as a cosmetic in several different concentrations for generalised use, with unknown long-term risks.

Conclusion

Clinical studies on sh-oligopeptide-1 have no scientific basis, as the preclinical bioactivity of this molecule has not been proven.

Keywords:

• Sh-oligopeptide-1
• epidermal growth factor
• human synthetic epidermal growth factor
• human recombinant epidermal growth factor
• cosmetics

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Dr. Rafael de Llorens, senior fellow in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Biology Department in the College of Sciences at Girona University (Spain) for all the assistance received in interpreting the scientific documentation provided by the manufacturing industry on sh-oligopeptide-1.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.