Scarlet beebalm extract may slow biological aging and boost healthspan

The study included 81 people between the ages of 45 and 65 with self-reported stressful jobs. Data published in GeroScience indicated that people consuming the extract of scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma L.) showed an increase in biological age of only 0.3 years compared to 1.8 years for those in the placebo group.

The extract, which is marketed under the brand name MonaJuventa Nu by Mibelle, was also found to reduce cortisol levels by 25% and improve measures of Quality of Life (QOL), compared to placebo, after 12 weeks of supplementation.

“Through extensive screening of various plants for epigenetic aging activity, we identified Monarda didyma as the most potent ingredient,” said Dr. Torsten Grothe, head of food and health at Mibelle Biochemistry and co-author on the new paper.

“MonaJuventa Nu, rich in the anti-aging flavonoid didymin, stands out as the first botanical known to impact key aging processes, effectively countering nine of the twelve hallmarks of aging.

“Our study fits perfectly into the booming active aging and longevity market, showcasing an innovative, natural and safe active ingredient, which tackles several key processes involved in healthy aging, contributing to longevity,” Dr. Grothe added.

The study was funded by Mibelle AG Biochemistry, NextGenerationEU (“Ageing Well in an Ageing Society”), and the Italian Ministry of University and Research.

Telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age, do not always correlate with chronological age, and there is evidence to suggest telomere shortening may be modifiable by lifestyle factors.

The aging and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the so-called telomere shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. During cell replication, the telomeres function by ensuring the cell’s chromosomes do not fuse with each other or rearrange, which can lead to cancer.

Elizabeth Blackburn, a telomere pioneer at the University of California San Francisco, likened telomeres to the ends of shoelaces, without which the lace would unravel.

With each replication the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres are totally consumed, the cells are destroyed (apoptosis). Telomere shortening or attrition was listed as one of the nine hallmarks of aging in a seminal paper published in Cell in 2013 by Carlos López-Otín et al. This list has since been expanded to 12 hallmarks of aging, outlined in a 2023 review by Professor López-Otín.

DNA methylation, another hallmark of aging, is a process by which methyl (CH3) groups are added to DNA thereby regulating gene expression and cellular health. However, as we age DNA methylation patterns may change, which may accelerate aging.

To explore the potential healthspan benefits of the Monarda didyma L. extract, the researchers performed a series of in vitro analyses, which revealed a reduction in telomere shortening, decreased cellular senescence, an antioxidative effect and improved endothelial function.

They followed this with a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel design, monocentric clinical trial that included 81 people with stressful jobs between the ages of 45 and 65. The volunteers were randomized to receive either 100 mg per day of MonaJuventa Nu or placebo for 12 weeks.

The Monarda didyma raw material used in MonaJuventa Nu is reportedly organically grown in farms in Austria and Switzerland.

The data indicated that epigenetic aging, measured using DNA methylation age (DNAmAge), was stable in beebalm group but accelerated in the placebo group.

MonaJuventa Nu supplementation was also associated with significantly improved leukocyte telomere length (LTL) but not the placebo group.

In addition to improvements in cortisol levels and quality of life scores, the beebalm extract group experienced improved physical activity and sleep index, assessed using questionnaires and wearable sensors.

“These results suggest that Monarda didyma L. extract may be a valuable component in anti-aging therapies and dietary supplements to promote health and longevity in aging populations,” the researchers wrote. “Notably, the inclusion of Monarda didyma L. in Italy’s regulatory framework for botanicals underscores its safety and suitability for human consumption, supporting its potential use in personalized dietary interventions.

“This study underscores the potential of safe, effective and sustainable botanical extracts in the development of therapies that can mitigate the societal and economic impact of an aging population.”

Source: GeroScience, doi: 10.1007/s11357-025-01580-2. “Unveiling the geroprotective potential of Monarda didyma L.: insights from in vitro studies and a randomized clinical trial on slowing biological aging and improving quality of life.” Authors: M. Campisi, et al.