Synergistic antioxidant and anti-aging effects of Asini Corii Colla combined with fish maw

Asini Corii Colla (ACC) and fish maw (FM) are established bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-aging properties, although their combinatorial effects remain uncharacterized. The present study systematically evaluated ACC-FM formulations (low-dose: LAF; high-dose: HAF) through in vitro antioxidant assessments and in vivo aging models, focusing on dermal fibroblast functionality and cutaneous tissue integrity.

The LAF formulation demonstrated superior in vitro antioxidant activity, achieving 77.60% ABTS [2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] radical scavenging (P < 0.05) and 1.47 U mL^-1 total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). It enhanced human dermal fibroblasts (HFF-1) migration by 38.50% and stimulated maximal collagen secretion (641.58 ± 64.70 ng mL^-1 at 5 mg mL^-1). In vivo studies revealed that LAF significantly increased skin antioxidant enzyme activity (35.23 ± 1.65 U mg^-1 protein, P < 0.05), reduced lipid peroxidation (3.15 ± 0.29 mm mg^-1 protein) and improved skin elasticity and thickness compared to controls.

This study provides the first evidence of synergistic anti-aging effects between ACC and FM, with the low-dose formulation (LAF) exhibiting optimal efficacy in enhancing antioxidant defense and tissue repair. These findings position LAF as a viable bioactive agent for anti-aging applications in cosmeceuticals and functional foods, supporting further translational investigation. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.