Skin-Protective and Anti-Photoaging Potential of a Collagen-Based Bioactive Complex in Hs68 Dermal Fibroblasts

As we age, combined intrinsic and extrinsic aging processes lead to functional and structural alterations in the skin. Supplementation with nutraceuticals combining collagen peptides and plant-derived bioactive compounds represents a potential strategy to maintain skin health. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the skin-protective effects of collagen-based bioactive complex (CBC), which contains marine-derived bioactive peptides and plant-derived bioactive compounds, such as Amla, lingonberry, and other bioactive ingredients. Assessed via the ABTS radical scavenging assay, CBC exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity. In Hs68 cells, CBC significantly increased cell viability and showed a trend toward enhanced wound closure. Furthermore, in a UVB-induced photoaging cell model, CBC significantly reduced MMP-9 levels, suggesting a potential inhibitory effect on extracellular matrix degradation. Taken together, these findings suggest that CBC supports fibroblast viability and wound closure and attenuates UVB-induced responses associated with skin photoaging, supporting its potential as a multi-component bioactive nutraceutical formulation for maintaining skin health.