2. Academic Validation
  3. Antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge callus extracts in H2O2-induced premature senescence and chronological aging models of human dermal fibroblasts

Antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge callus extracts in H2O2-induced premature senescence and chronological aging models of human dermal fibroblasts

  • Biogerontology. 2026 Feb 7;27(2):54. doi: 10.1007/s10522-025-10381-1.
Shinn-Zong Lin 1 2,  Tzu-Kai Lin 3 4,  Wei-Wen Kuo 5 6 7,  Shih-Wen Kao 8 9,  Chia-Hua Kuo 10 11 12,  Dennis Jine-Yuan Hsieh 13,  Yueh-Min Lin 14,  Tsung-Jung Ho 15 16,  Shang-Chuan Ng # 17 18,  Chih-Yang Huang # 19 20 21 22
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 3 Department of Dermatology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 4 School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 5 Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 6 Ph.D. Program for Biotechnology Industry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 7 School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 8 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung-Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 9 School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 10 Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • 11 School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
  • 12 Department of Movement Sciences and Sports Training, School of Sport Sciences, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
  • 13 Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 14 Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
  • 15 Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 16 Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.
  • 17 Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 18 Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 19 Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 20 Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 21 Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 22 Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 41653369 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-025-10381-1
Abstract

Dermal fibroblasts are pivotal in maintaining skin integrity through extracellular matrix (ECM) production, a process compromised during aging due to oxidative stress from excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen, DS), a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compound-rich dried roots, has demonstrated broad therapeutic potential. This study investigates the Anti-aging properties of Danshen callus (DSC)-an undifferentiated cell mass derived from leaf tissue culture, as a sustainable and controlled source of bioactive compounds. Using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced premature aging and chronological aging models in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), we evaluated DSC effects on redox homeostasis and senescence. Pretreatment and posttreatment with DSC significantly enhanced HDF viability, restored ECM synthesis, suppressed MMP-1 secretion, and reduced senescence-associated markers in H2O2-induced premature aging HDFs. Mechanistically, DSC activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway, mitigating ROS accumulation and reinforcing antioxidant defenses. Crucially, comparative analysis revealed DSC superior efficacy over native Danshen (DS) in both aging paradigms. These findings highlight DSC potential as a novel, plant-based therapeutic agent for Anti-aging cosmetic formulations, leveraging agricultural waste for sustainable skincare solutions.

Keywords

Chronological aging; Danshen callus (DSC); Human dermal fibroblast (HDFs); Premature aging.

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