Reverse aging: Amorepacific flavonoid discovery trumps other anti-aging ingredients known to academia

07 Nov 2022 --- Amorepacific’s R&D center has discovered RE.D flavonoid, a substance that inhibits the PDK1 (3-phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase) enzyme, which is crucial for slowing down aging skin. The flavonoid was discovered using the company’s fibroblast technology and has been recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea. 

The researchers successfully materialized the RE.D flavonoid and verified its anti-aging effects. This flavonoid is extracted from camellia seeds using an environmentally friendly method.

Aged skin produces less collagen and elastic fibers and has decreased cell division capabilities. The deterioration of cells – senescence – finally causes wrinkles and weaker skin.

The study’s findings were published in the international science journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (titled Kaempferol tetrasaccharides restore skin atrophy via PDK1 inhibition in human skin cells and tissues: Bench and clinical studies, October 14, 2022).

Reversing aged skin
In collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Amorepacific’s R&D center created the “first” technology to reverse skin aging last year. The technology transforms aged human skin fibroblasts into young cells. According to the researchers, the discovery is the first to show the reversing effects of aging on the skin in tests on humans.

By controlling PDK1, a crucial component in the skin’s ability to age backward, the method transforms older human dermal fibroblasts into younger cells.

Based on the fibroblast technology, Amorepacific scientists searched for organic compounds that could block PDK1 to counter skin aging. Eventually, they discovered RE.D Flavonoid (a bioflavonoid), which proved to be a fundamental component regulating skin aging.

A skin renaissance
The study revealed that RE.D Flavonoid application to aged skin improved skin thinning and reset the tissues to be comparable to younger skin tissues. The decreased capacity to split skin cells and generate elastic fibers was also recovered.

Additionally, the application of the flavonoid boosted skin moisture by two times, increased skin density by three times, increased transparency by nine times and reduced wrinkles by 50%, according to the study findings.

According to the researchers, what is “remarkably significant” is that the discovery is the first to conclusively show the reversing effects of aging on the skin in tests on humans, as opposed to other methods previously explored.

No re.d flags
Fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine all contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are a class of organic compounds with varying phenolic structures. These natural ingredients are widely known for their positive effects on health and wellness, including their anti-inflammatory properties and capacity to shield cells from oxidative damage.The flavonoid is extracted from camellia seeds using an environmentally friendly method.

Oxidative damage is a major contributor to skin aging, which is why flavonoids are so precious in this area of R&D.

Comparing the RE.D Flavonoid to the hundreds of other kinds of anti-aging substances that are known to the academic community, the researchers established that it has the best PDK1 regulation effect.

As a result, the substance’s patent as an anti-aging and skin-regeneration ingredient has been registered.

In addition, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea awarded Amorepacific the New Excellent Technology (NET) certification for “The Development Technology of Camellia Bioflavonoid as a Cosmetic Ingredient” in recognition of the advancement of the ingredient and efficient technology.

By Mieke Meintjes

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