Kinetin

Scientific Name(S): N6-furfuryladenine, N-(2-furanylmethyl)-1H-purin-6-amine, 6-furfurylaminopurine

Common Name(S): Kinetin

Kinetin is a naturally-occurring compound found throughout nature. . . in plants, in animals, and in fact, in your own body's DNA. Kinetin is a Cytokinin, a class of plant growth factors that delay senescence (aging) in plants.

Kinetin is a proven anti-oxidant protecting your skin from environmentally-induced free radicals produced by exposure to the sun, smoking and pollution.

Botany: Kinetin, a cytokinin and plant hormone, is a cell division factor found in plant parts and yeast. Kinetin has also been detected in freshly extracted DNA from human cells.

History: Plant hormones, or cytokinins, were named for their ability to stimulate cell division (cytokinesis). The first known cytokinin was a component of coconut milk. This was used as a standard additive to plant tissue cultures in the lab because of its ability to make plants divide. Cytokinins were eventually isolated from coconut milk, immature organs of corn, and various other sources. Studies dating back to the mid-1950s describe the structure and synthesis of kinetin specifically.

Uses of Kinetin

Kinetin functions as an essential growth hormone, which can influence cell growth and differentiation. It can delay and offset aging characteristics such as cell growth rate and size. It is claimed to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture, telangiectasia, and mottled hyperpigmentation.

Side Effects of Kinetin

There is a very low incidence of side effects.

Toxicology: Computer literature searches found no information on toxicology of kinetin. The makers of Kinerase claim its use is associated with virtually no skin irritation, no thinning of the skin, no restrictions in pregnant or nursing women, no restrictions on duration of use, etc. The product is reportedly hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic and has no known interactions with drugs or other products.

Summary: Kinetin is a cytokinin, a plant hormone, with the ability to influence cell growth and differentiation in plant and non-plant tissues. It has gained some popularity with the introduction of the product Kinerase, which supposedly improves wrinkles, skin texture, and color. Very low incidence of adverse effects have been reported in studies with use of the product. Further research in human clinical trials are warranted.