Development of new food supplements and cosmeceuticals to mitigate and prevent age-related disorders

Population ageing represents a long-term demographic trend in Europe and is projected to intensify over the coming decades. This demographic shift establishes a significant challenge for economic, social, and healthcare systems, as age is the main risk factor for major chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent advances in ageing research have highlighted the potential of pharmacological and nutritional interventions to modulate these mechanisms and extend healthy lifespan. Food supplements and cosmeceuticals, particularly enriched in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, are emerging as promising strategies to prevent or delay age-related conditions. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies supports their ability to counteract hallmarks of ageing and promote healthy ageing, while, currently, the field of food supplements lacks thorough in-depth bioactivity evaluations. As a result, targeting the biological mechanisms of ageing and employing natural bioactive molecules as preventive or therapeutic agents may represent effective strategies to support healthspan. This research project aims to develop innovative nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals with anti-ageing potential, through the biological investigations of enriched plant extracts, engineered and developed by Labomar group. To this end, this research investigated the anti-aging potential of Elixspir®, an enriched Spirulina extract, for cosmeceutical applications. Safety and efficacy were assessed through in vitro validated models, and afterwards a comprehensive assessment of its antioxidant properties was performed. Additional studies explored anti-inflammatory activity, through PGE2 modulation, photoprotective effects, and anti-tyrosinase assays. These investigations were further extended to other botanical extracts to explore potential additive or synergistic effects in supporting skin health. Beyond skin applications, the Elixspir® potential was also investigated in neuronal models to assess its broader relevance in neuroprotection. This enriched Spirulina extract exerted significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, further supporting its neuroprotective potential. Similar to skin models, combinations with selected botanicals were evaluated, indicating possible synergistic effects in mitigating neurodegenerative processes. Further mechanistic insights were obtained through bulk mRNA sequencing in both skin and neuronal cell lines treated with single extracts and their combinations. Transcriptomic analyses revealed the modulation of pathways linked to oxidative stress, providing mechanistic insights into the observed anti-ageing activities.