Anti‐Glycation and Anti‐Aging Efficacy of Newly Synthesized Antioxidant With Autophagy Stimulating Activity

ABSTRACT Background The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in aged skin and their pro‐aging effects suggest the potential application of anti‐glycation ingredients as skin anti‐aging agents. Aims This study evaluated the anti‐aging efficacy of a newly developed anti‐glycation ingredient with antioxidant and autophagy‐stimulating activities through in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical efficacy tests. Methods AGEs formation in both the cell‐free BSA/glyoxal system and glucose/glyoxal‐treated human epidermal keratinocytes was measured, while the degradation of pre‐formed BSA/AGEs by keratinocytes was assessed. Anti‐glycation and anti‐inflammatory effects were further examined using an ex vivo human skin explant model. Clinical anti‐aging effects were analyzed by assessing skin AGE levels, melanin and erythema indices, skin elasticity, and skin hydration levels. Results The tested ingredient inhibited AGE formation and accelerated the degradation of pre‐formed AGEs in vitro. A significant reduction in skin AGE levels, reduction of skin melanin and erythema indices, and improvement of skin elasticity and hydration in healthy volunteers were observed after 2 and 4 weeks of test product application. Conclusion A newly synthesized antioxidant with autophagy‐stimulating activity exhibited significant anti‐glycation efficacy in both in vitro and clinical studies, suggesting its potential as an effective skin anti‐aging ingredient.