Scientists Identify Plant That May Help Slow Skin Aging

A study published in the journal Acta Materia Medica has highlighted the anti-aging potential of Vicatia thibetica de Boiss (V. thibetica), a traditional medicinal and edible plant used by the Bai ethnic group in China. In traditional medicine, the plant has long been valued for promoting vitality, improving circulation, and supporting skin health.

Previous research suggested that an extract derived from the plant’s root, known as JM02001, may possess anti-aging properties through its ability to stimulate collagen production and provide antioxidant protection. However, its biological effects and active compounds had not been thoroughly investigated.

In the new study, researchers examined the extract in mouse models of skin aging induced by D-galactose, as well as in models designed to mimic glucocorticoid-related skin damage.

The findings showed that active fractions of the plant and the compound chlorogenic acid were able to:

• reduce degradation of the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM);

• restore the activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD-1;

• suppress MMP-9, an enzyme involved in collagen breakdown;

• strengthen the epidermal barrier function;

• reduce signs of skin thinning.

Further analysis revealed that one specific fraction, JM02102, demonstrated particularly strong antioxidant, anti-glycation, and collagen-promoting effects.

In glucocorticoid-induced skin aging models, compounds from the plant also:

• restored the thickness of both the dermis and epidermis;

• reduced the expression of cellular aging markers REDD1 and p16INK4A;

• improved the skin’s protective functions.

According to the researchers, the beneficial effects appear to stem from three main mechanisms:

• reducing oxidative stress;

• protecting collagen structures within the skin;

• strengthening the skin barrier.

The study identified chlorogenic acid, a well-known antioxidant compound, as one of the key active ingredients responsible for these effects.

The authors conclude that extracts from the roots of V. thibetica and their bioactive compounds can indeed slow skin-aging processes in experimental models. The findings provide scientific support for the plant’s traditional use and suggest that it could become a valuable source of future anti-aging skincare and therapeutic products.

However, the researchers caution that the results have so far been demonstrated only in animal models. Additional clinical studies in humans will be required before any potential medical or cosmetic applications can be confirmed.

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