What Are The Benefits And Mechanisms Of Action Of The Popular Skincare Ingredient Polydeoxyribonucleotide PDRN?

 

Polydeoxyribonucleotide PDRN has recently emerged as a popular active ingredient in cosmetics. Beyond the growing body of research demonstrating its reparative and anti-aging properties, it possesses an inherent "high-tech" appeal as a fragment of DNA-the fundamental biological code. Furthermore, the diversity of its sources and structures offers significant scope for both research and marketing innovation.

 

PDRN was originally extracted from the sperm cells of salmonids-specifically salmon (including species such as rainbow trout and chum salmon). These cells yield high-purity DNA with a low risk of impurities. However, issues regarding seasonal supply, high production costs, and environmental sustainability associated with salmon-derived PDRN have prompted researchers to explore alternative sources, such as:

 

(1) Plant sources:

Plant-derived PDRN has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional sources. For instance, PDRN derived from Korean ginseng root can promote skin cell regeneration and wound healing. Other plant sources, such as mugwort and broccoli, have demonstrated significant wound-healing effects in *in vitro* studies. Additionally, PDRN derived from certain marine plants has shown antioxidant properties and therapeutic potential.

(2) Microbial sources:

Microbial-derived PDRN offers significant advantages, such as rapid growth, year-round availability, and a lower environmental impact. For example, PDRN extracted from lactic acid bacteria (L-PDRN) exhibits superior antioxidant activity and wound-healing capabilities. Furthermore, L-PDRN consists of smaller DNA fragments (less than 100 bp), resulting in higher bioavailability and better skin absorption compared to salmon-derived PDRN (200–800 bp).

 

 

 

1. Tissue Repair and Anti-inflammation

PDRN promotes wound healing and tissue regeneration while inhibiting inflammatory responses. It suppresses pro-inflammatory signaling pathways and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activating adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR).

 

2. Antioxidant Activity

PDRN significantly lowers levels of oxidative stress markers and reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by upregulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase SOD.

 

3. Anti-aging

PDRN exerts anti-aging effects by promoting collagen synthesis and reducing wrinkle formation. It stimulates collagen synthesis through the activation of ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

 

4. Skin Whitening

PDRN provides skin-whitening benefits by inhibiting melanogenesis. It downregulates the expression of genes associated with melanin synthesis and reduces tyrosinase activity.

 

5. Sun Protection

Polydeoxyribonucleotide powder also protects tissue cells against UV-induced DNA damage, offering a degree of sun protection.

 

 

 

The mechanisms of action of PDRN can be summarized as stemming primarily from two aspects:

 

• 1. It undergoes degradation to produce small-molecule adenosine, which activates the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR);
• 2. It degrades to generate deoxyribonucleotides, which serve as building blocks for DNA repair.

 

 

Through these two pathways-and potentially others yet to be discovered, such as various signaling cascades and enzymatic activities-PDRN exerts the following effects:

 

(1) Activation of the A2A receptor: In the body, PDRN is degraded into small-molecule nucleosides such as adenosine. Adenosine binds to the A2A receptor (A2AR) and activates downstream signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses and promoting cell proliferation and tissue repair.

 

(2) Reduction of oxidative stress markers: PDRN reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by upregulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby lowering the levels of oxidative stress markers.

 

(3) Activation of SIRT1 expression: PDRN activates the expression of the SIRT1 protein and reduces the expression of cellular senescence markers (such as p53, p21, and p16), thereby delaying cellular senescence.

 

(4) Inhibition of melanogenesis: PDRN inhibits melanin production by downregulating the expression of genes associated with melanin synthesis and reducing tyrosinase activity.

 

(5) Activation of ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways: By activating these signaling pathways, PDRN powder promotes collagen synthesis and cell proliferation, thereby exerting anti-aging effects.

 

 

 

Fruiterco is an export company that mainly produces plant extracts, health product raw materials, and cosmetic raw materials. The company has a 20+ professional service after-sales team.

 

Our products are sold to North America, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. Our products have passed quality inspection and also support customer re-inspection. We are a professional supplier and manufacturer of red bean powder. If you wish to buy Polydeoxyribonucleotide PDRN, please contact us: Email: info@fruiterco.com.

 

 

1.Ye, R., Wang, Q., Du, L., Li, L. & Hu, F. Topical medium-length PDRN enhances dermal extracellular matrix repair in photodamaged skin via PI3K–Akt/TGF-β–regulated pathways. PLoS One 21(7), e0350905 (2026).

2.Park, G. Y. & Jang, B.-C. Polydeoxyribonucleotide as a Regenerative Agent in Dermatology and Wound Healing: Mechanisms, Clinical Applications, and Safety. Keimyung Medical Journal 44, 9–18 (2025).

3. Tonello, G.; Daglio, M.; Zaccarelli, N.; Sottofattori, E.; Mazzei, M.; Balbi, A. Characterization and quantitation of the active polynucleotide fraction (PDRN) from human placenta, a tissue repair stimulating agent. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal.1996,14,1555–1560.

4. Rubegni, P.; De Aloe, G.; Mazzatenta, C.; Cattarini, L.; Fimiani, M. Clinical evaluation of the trophic effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) in patients undergoing skin explants. A Pilot Study. Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 2001, 17, 128–131.

5. Squadrito, F.; Bitto, A.; Altavilla, D.; Arcoraci, V.; De Caridi, G.; De Feo, M.E.; Corrao, S.; Pallio, G.; Sterrantino, C.; Minutoli, L.; et al. The effect of PDRN, An adenosine receptor A2A agonist, On the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: Results of a clinical trial. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2014, 99, E746–E753.

6. Guizzardi, S.; Galli, C.; Govoni, P.; Boratto, R.; Cattarini, G.; Martini, D.; Belletti, S.; Scandroglio, R. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) promotes human osteoblast proliferation: A new proposal for bone tissue repair. Life Sci. 2003, 29, 1973–1983.

7. Tonello, G.; Daglio, M.; Zaccarelli, N.; Sottofattori, E.; Mazzei, M.; Balbi, A. Characterization and quantitation of the active polynucleotide fraction (PDRN) from human placenta, a tissue repair stimulating agent. J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 1996, 14, 1555–1560.

8. Altavilla, D.; Bitto, A.; Polito, F.; Marini, H.; Minutoli, L.; Di Stefano, V.; Irrera, N.; Cattarini, G.; Squadrito, F. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN): A safe approach to induce therapeutic angiogenesis in peripheral artery occlusive disease and in diabetic foot ulcers. Cardiovasc. Hematol. Agents Med. Chem. 2009, 7, 313–321.