Food science and biotechnologySep 2, 2026

Broccoli, licorice, and passionflower mix may improve cell energy production and reduce aging-related damage

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Sep 3, 2026

Abstract

An optimized formulation, Blend 2, composed of broccoli, licorice, and passionflower extracts, was identified through a data-driven strategy.

Blend 2 restored mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, and citrate synthase activity in conditions of DNA damage.
Activation of the SIRT1-AMPK-PGC-1α pathway and enhancement of mitophagy were observed with Blend 2.
The formulation exhibited dual senotherapeutic activity by inhibiting the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.
Blend 2 selectively eliminated senescent cells via the Bax/caspase pathway.
These findings suggest that natural product combinations may effectively target multiple aging-related mechanisms.

Simplified

Aging is driven by multiple interconnected mechanisms, necessitating interventions that target multiple hallmarks of aging. Using a data-driven prioritization strategy, we screened 16 extract combinations generated from four candidate extracts (broccoli, licorice, passionflower, and lemon balm) and identified an optimized formulation, Blend 2, composed of broccoli, licorice, and passionflower extracts. Blend 2 restored mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, and citrate synthase activity under DNA damage-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through activation of the SIRT1-AMPK-PGC-1α pathway and enhanced mitophagy. It also exhibited dual senotherapeutic activity by suppressing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype via NF-κB inhibition and selectively eliminating senescent cells through the Bax/caspase pathway. These findings demonstrate that data-driven formulation strategies can identify multifunctional natural product combinations and establish Blend 2 as a promising candidate for targeting multiple hallmarks of aging.