Anti-skin Aging Effects of Kale-derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles

In an aging society, there is a growing interest in functional foods that offer anti-aging benefits. Food-derived bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and polyphenols can enhance skin elasticity and delay aging. However, the mechanisms by which these orally ingested compounds directly impact the skin are not fully understood. Recent studies on exosomes have suggested significant physiological functions, including their potential for intercellular communication. Similar to mammalian exosomes, plant-derived exosomes are known for their functional roles, including cross-kingdom communication, and their ability to target specific organs in animal models as delivery vehicles. The authors have been investigating the anti-aging effects of kale and have previously reported its benefits on cognitive function and skin aging in mouse models. Long-term oral administration of glucoraphanin-enriched kale suppresses the senescence symptoms in skin and hair and increases type I collagen and antioxidant enzyme expression in skin tissues, indicating its role in promoting skin health. Exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) from glucoraphanin-enriched kale appear to modulate the expression of extracellular matrix-related genes. Kale-derived ELNs exhibit great potential for ameliorating skin aging, suggesting their ability to promote skin health through targeted cellular mechanisms and supporting their use as an active natural compound in nutraceuticals and functional beverages.