TITLE:
Intradermal hUC-MSC Therapy for Infraorbital Wrinkles and Nasolabial Fold Aging: Two Quantitatively Analyzed Clinical Cases
AUTHORS:
Artit Ramdongbang, Suwimom Charoenkankar
KEYWORDS:
Human Placental Extract (HPE), Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Cell Proliferation, Cell Differentiation, Activity, Regenerative Medicine, Placental Biomaterials, Cell Adhesion
JOURNAL NAME:
Stem Cell Discovery,
Vol.16 No.1,
June
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Age-related facial aging presents with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes, including superficial wrinkle formation and structural volume loss, reflecting distinct but interrelated changes within the dermal and subdermal layers. Current treatment approaches remain limited in their ability to address both surface texture and underlying structural deficits in a coordinated manner. In this exploratory dual-case study, we assessed the clinical and image-derived outcomes following intradermal administration of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs, passage 5) combined with human placental extract (HPE) in two male patients representing different facial aging patterns: infraorbital wrinkle-dominant aging and nasolabial fold volume-loss-dominant aging. Standardized clinical photographs were obtained at baseline (Month 0) and at Months 1 - 3 under controlled imaging conditions. Quantitative analysis was performed using ImageJ with predefined regions of interest. Relative surface parameters were derived from grayscale mapping, line-profile analysis, and surface roughness measurements. In the infraorbital case, reductions in relative wrinkle depth index, surface roughness, and wrinkle area fraction were observed over the follow-up period, accompanied by visible smoothing of the skin surface. In the nasolabial fold case, analysis demonstrated a progressive decrease in relative fold depth index and peak-to-valley amplitude, consistent with gradual improvement in contour profile rather than an immediate filling effect. No serious adverse events were reported. Mild transient edema occurred and resolved within 48 hours without intervention. Overall, both cases demonstrated consistent directional changes in quantitative metrics and corresponding clinical appearance over time. These findings suggest that combined hUC-MSC and HPE administration may contribute to gradual dermal remodeling and improvement in facial contour. However, interpretation is limited by the small sample size and the use of two-dimensional image-based measurements. Further controlled studies incorporating objective three-dimensional assessment are required to validate these observations and clarify underlying mechanisms.