Ingestibles for skin health: Natreon’s shilajit ingredient holds anti-aging potential

11 Jul 2019 --- Natural ingredients manufacturer Natreon’s patented shilajit extract has been found to improve the skin’s microperfusion in healthy adult women. This is according to a Natreon-endorsed clinical trial which also found that oral shilajit supplementation induces gene activation relevant to endothelial cell migration, collagens and other extra-cellular matrix (ECM) proteins, as well as the growth of blood vessels, which may lead to overall improved skin. The PrimaVie shilajit ingredient is an organic humic substance containing urolithins, fulvic acid and micro minerals. The company notes that it is committed to continued scientific investment in research focused on the beauty-from-within and skin health categories.

The recently published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was carried out by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and marks the tenth clinical trial published by Natreon for its biome optimized shilajit extract.

The study sought to evaluate the effects of oral shilajit supplementation on skin gene expression and microperfusion in healthy adult females. The study design comprised of six total study visits, including the baseline visit (V1) and a final 14-week visit (V6) following shilajit supplementation of 125 or 250mg. 

A skin biopsy of the left inner upper arm of each subject was collected at visits two and six for gene expression profiling using Affymetrix Clariom D Assay analysis method. Skin perfusion was determined by MATLAB processing of dermascopic images. Transcriptome data were normalized and subjected to statistical analysis. The differentially regulated genes were subjected to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPAV R). The expression of the differentially regulated genes identified by IPAV R were verified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 

The beauty-from-within trend is escalating fast with several leading companies identifying its megatrend potential.Supplementation with shilajit for 14 weeks was not associated with any reported adverse effects within this period. At the higher dose (250mg), shilajit improved skin perfusion when compared to the baseline or the placebo. Pathway analysis identified shilajit-inducible genes relevant to endothelial cell migration, growth of blood vessels and ECM, which were validated by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. 

“This study adds to the growing clinical evidence for all the anti-aging benefits of PrimaVie shilajit. Along with its earlier clinical studies, it’s proven that PrimaVie shows highly significant upregulations of genes coding collagens (especially, COL1A1) and ECM proteins in skeletal muscle, with the effect being synergistic with exercise. It also has been shown to improve testosterone levels, mitochondrial function (increased ATP levels), endothelial function and cardiovascular health in healthy subjects,” says Dr. Sanni Raju, CEO of Natreon. 

The beauty-from-within trend is escalating fast with several leading companies identifying its megatrend potential. The trend goes by numerous monikers including beauty-from-within, edible beauty, skingestibles and consumable skincare. Ingestible beauty, adaptogens and the demand for natural products are emerging trends that are expected to influence future NPD.

Within this genre, Swiss company Mibelle AG Biochemistry developed three “beauty-from-within” ingredients targeting hair loss, skin collagen formation and skin stem cell vitalization. Lipofoods also recently launched a new bioavailable microencapsulated anti-aging curcumin product which targets the beauty-from-within market. 

Edited by Kristiana Lalou