Moreover, it highlights the metabolic contributions of blood-derived bacteria to skin health, revealing the potential of these microbes in developing novel treatments related to the microbiome.

The research, published on May 2, 2025, emphasizes the potential of these metabolites to reduce skin cell inflammation and aging markers.

Researchers have identified three powerful anti-aging compounds produced by the bacterium Paracoccus sanguinis, which resides in human blood and has not been extensively studied until now.

Led by Chung Sub Kim and Sullim Lee, the research team grew P. sanguinis and successfully extracted 12 individual indole metabolites, six of which were previously unknown.

The anti-aging effects of these metabolites include reducing harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressing inflammatory proteins such as IL-6 and IL-8, and inhibiting MMP-1, an enzyme that degrades collagen.

Notably, one compound, metabolite 11, demonstrated the highest efficacy in protecting skin cells, positioning it as a promising candidate for future anti-aging skin therapies.

Using advanced analytical techniques, the scientists discovered that three of these metabolites exhibited significant anti-aging properties.

Indole compounds are recognized for their anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them promising candidates for skincare applications.

This study, published in the Journal of Natural Products, underscores the importance of blood-derived microbes in understanding metabolic functions that impact health and disease.

Funding for this groundbreaking research was provided by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the BK21 FOUR Project, and the National Supercomputing Center.

Overall, this research offers hope for innovative anti-aging treatments by leveraging the unique properties of indole metabolites derived from blood-resident microbes.