Evaluation of a Sustainable Silk Sericin and Marine Collagen-Based Cosmeceutical Cream for Anti-Aging and Skin Regeneration

Abstract Background: Skin aging is a multifactorial process characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Natural biomaterials offer sustainable alternatives for cosmeceutical development. Objective: This study evaluates the antioxidant, anti-aging, and dermatocosmetic potential of an eco-friendly topical cream formulated from Syrian mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) sericin protein and marine collagen-rich brown seaweed extracts, produced using green extraction technology with organic apple cider vinegar. Methods: In vitro antioxidant assays including Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities were conducted at concentrations of 10, 25, and 50 mg/mL. In silico pharmacokinetic profiling, skin permeability prediction, molecular target prediction, molecular docking against key aging-related enzymes, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and gene enrichment studies were performed for the major bioactive constituents. Results: The cream demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with NO scavenging of 71.4 ± 1.9% and FRAP activity of 63.2 ± 2.1% at 50 mg/mL. Enzymatic antioxidant analysis showed CAT (41.6 ± 1.3 IU/mL), SOD (26.9 ± 1.1 IU/mL), and POD (8.2 ± 0.4 IU/mL). In silico analysis revealed favorable dermal permeability (log Kp -2.1 to -4.6 cm/s) for sericin-derived peptides, marine collagen fragments, phytosterols, and fucoxanthin. Molecular docking indicated strong binding affinity toward MMP-1, MMP-9, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, COX-1, and COX-2, with binding energies ranging from -9.1 to -13.6 kcal/mol. Network analysis highlighted modulation of SIRT1, MAPK3, AKT1, NF- κB, and STAT3, supporting anti-aging and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the formulated cream possesses promising antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-regenerative properties, supporting its application as a sustainable cosmeceutical product with multi-targeted molecular mechanisms. Keywords: Sericin; Marine collagen; Green extraction; Anti-aging; Molecular docking; Skin regeneration; Antioxidant; Cosmeceutical.