Human Placental Hydrolysate Contents and Potential Uses
Human placental hydrolysate contains growth factors, collagen-rich extracellular matrix, mesenchymal stem cells, neonatal fibroblasts, epithelial cells, antimicrobial proteins, and angiogenic factors that promote wound healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Composition of Human Placental Hydrolysate
- Human placental membranes contain a combination of growth factors, collagen-rich extracellular matrix, and cells including mesenchymal stem cells, neonatal fibroblasts, and epithelial cells that provide the necessary mechanisms for coordinated wound healing 1
- Multiple growth factors and proteins are present in the matrix, including:
- Placental extracts are rich in amino acids and various bioactive substances that contribute to their therapeutic effects 3, 4
Types of Placental-Derived Products
- Cryopreserved preparations contain living cells as well as growth factors 1
- Dehydrated products, which are easier to store and handle, contain growth factors but no living cells 1
- Different products are derived from various components of the placental and umbilical cord:
- Dehydrated amnion/chorion grafts
- Dehydrated human amniotic membrane (dHAM)
- Cryopreserved placental membrane
- Dehydrated human umbilical cord 1
Potential Uses and Clinical Applications
Wound Healing
- Placental-derived products are recommended as an adjunctive treatment for diabetic foot ulcers when standard care alone has failed to reduce ulcer size 1, 5
- Studies show improved absolute wound healing at timepoints between 4-20 weeks compared to standard care 1, 5
- Reduced time to healing has been reported, though many studies were assessed as having high risk of bias 1
- The mechanism appears to be related to an increase in TGF-β in the early phase of wound healing and VEGF in the late phase 2
Anti-inflammatory Effects
- Human placenta extract has been shown to suppress inflammatory responses in various models 3
- It reduces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restores expression of protective factors like nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) 3
- It suppresses inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other inflammatory mediators 3
Other Potential Applications
- Human placental extract has been used to dampen inflammation, improve fatigue, exert anti-aging effects, and promote wound healing 3
- Placental-derived biomaterials have been used in wound management for more than a century due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, and immunomodulatory properties 6
Cost Considerations and Limitations
- The cost of intervention per healed ulcer was over $2,000 for dehydrated human amniotic membrane and over $3,000 for dehydrated umbilical cord products 1
- Formal cost-effectiveness data is limited, with only one post-hoc analysis of a study judged at high risk of bias 1, 5
- Most studies on placental products were considered at high risk of bias, and few definitive studies were patient or caregiver blind 1
- No evidence was found regarding the influence of placental products on new infections or amputation rates 1
Safety Considerations
- Human-derived ingredients in cosmetics have been prohibited in the European Union based on concerns about transmission of human spongiform encephalopathies and viral diseases 7
- Any current use of placental ingredients should be free of detectable pathogenic viruses or infectious agents 7
- Studies on placental products for wound healing have not reported significant safety concerns, but long-term safety data is limited 5
Clinical Recommendations
- Consider placental-derived products only after standard care has failed to reduce ulcer size in diabetic foot ulcers 1
- Most suitable for diabetic foot ulcers without significant peripheral arterial disease 1
- Not recommended for routine use in all wound types due to limited evidence and high cost 1, 5
Human Medical Consultant