Scientists have discovered promising anti-aging compounds produced by a little-known blood bacterium, opening a new frontier for skin rejuvenation. These naturally occurring molecules, called indole metabolites, were shown to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and collagen degradation in human skin cells cultured in the lab.
The findings, published in the Journal of Natural Products, suggest these blood-derived metabolites could provide innovative skin-aging therapies.
The bacterium, Paracoccus sanguinis, was first identified in 2015 and is unique because it lives within the bloodstream-a relatively unexplored area for microbial metabolic activity. Researchers Chung Sub Kim, Sullim Lee, and their team grew large cultures of P. sanguinis over three days and extracted the full mixture of metabolites it produces.
Using techniques like spectrometry, isotope labeling, and computational analysis, they characterized 12 distinct indole metabolites, six of which were previously unknown.
To test their anti-aging potential, the team exposed human skin cells to stress that elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules known to cause inflammation and collagen damage—key drivers of skin aging. They then treated the cells with each indole metabolite in liquid form.
Among the 12 compounds, three (including two newly identified metabolites) effectively reduced ROS levels compared to untreated samples. These three also lowered two inflammatory proteins and a collagen-damaging protein called MMP-1 in the skin cells.
One standout metabolite, referred to as metabolite 11, showed the highest efficacy in protecting the skin cells, making it a promising candidate for future clinical applications in skincare.
This study sheds light on the untapped potential of blood-borne microbes like P. sanguinis, whose metabolites may offer natural, potent defenses against the biochemical processes behind skin aging.
While more research is needed to translate these findings to safe and effective treatments, this discovery opens exciting avenues for developing next-generation anti-aging products based on the body's own microbiome and its unique metabolites.
REFERENCE: Won Min Lee, Si-Young Ahn, Gyu Sung Lee, InWha Park, Jonghwan Kim, Seung Hwan Lee, Sullim Lee, Chung Sub Kim. Discovery and Biosynthesis of Indole-Functionalized Metabolites from the Human Blood Bacterium, Paracoccus sanguinis, and Their Anti-Skin Aging Activity. Journal of Natural Products, 2025; 88 (5): 1120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c01354
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