Discovery of a Herb that Enhances Collagen "Quality" ~Bacopa Monnieri Extract Prevents Collagen Glycation, Protecting Skin, Bones, and Joint Function~

Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd. (3-18-15 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi; President: Junichi Nonokawa) has discovered that an extract from the Indian herb "Bacopa Monnieri" has the effect of "inhibiting the formation" of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), which degrade collagen quality, and "promoting the decomposition of accumulated AGEs." This extract is expected to protect the skin, bones, and joints from glycation, which impairs the inherent elasticity of collagen, and by enhancing the quality of collagen throughout the body, it is anticipated to help improve the decline in skin firmness and elasticity, bone flexibility, and joint cushioning function that accompanies aging. Collagen is an essential biological component for maintaining overall health, including skin firmness and elasticity, bone and blood vessel flexibility, and smooth joint movement. To fully exert these functions, it is important to maintain not only the quantity but also the quality of collagen. One factor that degrades collagen quality is glycation. Although sugar is an essential nutrient for living organisms, when present in excess, it reacts with collagen, producing and accumulating Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) in the body. Accumulated AGEs form excessive cross-links between collagen fibers, causing collagen to lose its inherent elasticity. Menard believes that to maintain supple collagen, it is important to both suppress the formation of new AGEs and reduce existing AGEs, and has been exploring materials with such effects. Through the exploration of various plant materials, we discovered that an extract from the Indian herb "Bacopa Monnieri" has two effects: "inhibiting the formation" of AGEs and "promoting the decomposition" of already accumulated AGEs. These two effects are expected to enhance the quality of collagen throughout the body, including skin, bones, and joints, and contribute to the maintenance and improvement of their functions. The results of this research will be presented at the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science, to be held in Takamatsu from May 15 to 17, 2026. 1. Mechanism of Collagen Quality Degradation by Glycation Collagen accounts for approximately one-third of the body's proteins and is widely present in tissues throughout the body, including skin, bones, joints, and blood vessels. When collagen fibers are appropriately cross-linked, they maintain elasticity and strength, playing a crucial role in maintaining beauty and health, such as skin firmness and elasticity, bone and blood vessel flexibility, and smooth joint movement. However, when sugar is present in excess in the body, it reacts with collagen to produce Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) (glycation). Since AGEs form excessive cross-links between collagen fibers, as accumulation progresses, collagen loses its inherent elasticity, hardens, and its quality deteriorates. Such degradation of collagen quality leads to a decline in skin firmness and elasticity, as well as a decrease in bone flexibility and joint cartilage cushioning, causing overall functional decline (Figure 1). This time, as a result of measuring the amount of AGEs in the body, it was confirmed that AGEs increase with age (Figure 2). From these findings, it was considered that the age-related decline in skin, bone, and joint function is involved in the degradation of collagen quality due to AGEs accumulation. Figure 1 Effects of Collagen Glycation Figure 2 Relationship between AGEs in the Body and Age 2. Effect of Bacopa Monnieri Extract in Preventing Collagen Glycation To maintain collagen quality, it is important to "prevent new formation" of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), which cause functional decline, and to "reduce" already existing AGEs. Menard has now discovered that an extract from the Indian herb "Bacopa Monnieri" has two actions: "inhibiting the formation of AGEs" and "promoting the decomposition of accumulated AGEs." When Bacopa Monnieri extract was added to a collagen aqueous solution containing glucose and reacted at 60°C for 10 days, it was confirmed that AGEs formation was significantly inhibited (Figure 3). Figure 3 Effect of Bacopa Monnieri Extract on AGEs Formation Inhibition When Bacopa Monnieri extract was added to 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, an AGEs cross-link model substance, and reacted at 37°C for 24 hours, it was confirmed that the decomposition of the AGEs cross-link structure was promoted (Figure 4). Figure 4 Effect of Bacopa Monnieri Extract on AGEs Decomposition Promotion Furthermore, experiments replicating glycated conditions in cells related to skin, bones, and joints (fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes) also confirmed a reduction in AGEs levels in collagen with the addition of Bacopa Monnieri extract (Figure 5, Figure 6).