Also known as: SYN-AKE
Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate (trade name SYN-AKE) is a synthetic small peptide modeled on waglerin-1, a component of temple viper venom, and used as a cosmetic ingredient. Independent research is limited to a few lab studies, an abstract, and one multi-ingredient cosmetic study.
The ingredient is described as an antagonist of the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, mimicking waglerin-1 [4]. A 2021 conference abstract reported that it acts postsynaptically to reduce muscle contraction in a lab assay [2]; in silico docking and in vitro tests have also been published [1]. Whether a topically applied amount reaches neuromuscular junctions in human skin has not been established.
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| In silico and in vitro Syn-Ake study [1] | Cell Molecular docking/dynamics plus in vitro assays | Researchers modeled receptor binding and ran in vitro tests of the peptide's activity. | Peer-reviewed J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023 |
| Postsynaptic muscle-contraction inhibition [2] | Cell Lab muscle-contraction assay | Abstract reports postsynaptic inhibition of muscle contraction by the peptide. | Conference abstract J Invest Dermatol 2021 |
| Multi-peptide serum, ex vivo and clinical [3] | Human Ex vivo skin explants; adult women, 12 weeks, no separate control group (n=50); second study n=42 | Serum also contained acetyl hexapeptide-8 and gluconolactone. Explant collagen markers were measured vs negative control. Human: appearance of wrinkles and texture assessed. | Peer-reviewed Int J Cosmet Sci 2026 |
| Skin-senescence peptide review [4] | Review Review of cosmetic peptides | Classifies the ingredient as a neurotransmitter-inhibitor peptide and acetylcholine receptor antagonist similar to waglerin-1; calls for further studies. | Peer-reviewed Biomolecules 2025 |
Human cosmetic studies describe appearance only. Lab results do not establish effects on skin structure.
