Titled “Plant Squalene and Tocotrienols Complex in Aging: Exploring Their Role in Telomere Preservation and Cellular Longevity”, the trial will be using a mix of full-spectrum tocotrienols and plant squalene produced and sold by PhytoGaia under the name STGaia.
The six-month-long study is expected to recruit a total of 45 healthy subjects aged 50 to 75.
Dr. Ariati Aris, scientific affairs specialist, told NutraIngredients that the subjects will be randomised into three groups.
They will be taking either 1) low dose STGaia containing 56mg of mixed-tocotrienols and 100mg plant squalene, or 2) high dose STGaia containing 112mg mixed tocotrienols and 200mg of plant squalene or 3) placebo.
The primary objective is to find out the impact of the mixed tocotrienols and squalene supplementation on telomere length and telomerase activity, which are two well-established biomarkers of biological aging.
The study will also look at secondary endpoints, such as NAD+/NADH ratio, ATP levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, inflammation markers including CRP, TNF-α and the expression of genes linked to cellular longevity, such as SIRT1, CDKN2A/p16, and IGF-1.
Blood samples will be taken at the start, midpoint, and end of the trial to assess the impact of the intervention.
The study is led by Professor Dr. Ammu Radhakrishnan, principal investigator at Monash University Malaysia.
“This study represents an exciting opportunity to investigate how our local naturally derived bioactives such as tocotrienols and squalene may modulate cellular aging pathways.
“We look forward to this collaboration to explore the potential of STGaia to support genomic stability, telomere health, and overall longevity through a rigorous, science-based approach,” he said.
PhytoGaia believes that using tocotrienols and plant squalene is a novel approach to healthy ageing.
“Building on current scientific findings, we believe that the synergy between tocotrienols and plant squalene represents a novel approach to healthy aging.
“This trial will deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind STGaia’s multi-targeted benefits and further strengthen its clinical validation in longevity and healthy lifespan solutions,” said Dr. Ariati.
The blend is already used in finished consumer products for supporting skin health, hair vitality, cognitive function, emotional resilience and overall healthy aging.
Last year, the company also announced its plan for a 70-day trial looking at the potential benefits of the oral consumption of STGaia’s for dry skin and eczema.
PhytoGaia’s second longevity clinical trial
This is PhytoGaia’s second clinical trial focusing on longevity and telomerase activity.
Last month, the company published findings on its first longevity trial, which showed that drinking tocotrienol-enriched beverages for six months has led to a significant increase in telomerase activity and reduced oxidative stress.
The trial used PhytoGaia’s mixed tocotrienols commercially available under the name TocoGaia - which the upcoming trial will be using, but added with plant squalene to form STGaia.
“With the recent publication of a clinical study on full-spectrum palm tocotrienols TocoGaia in healthy aging, this new trial with STGaia marks an exciting next chapter in our ongoing exploration of palm phytonutrients and their role in cellular health and longevity,” said Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia.
“It underscores our continued commitment to human clinical research in aging and longevity. We’re proud to collaborate once again with Monash University — one of the world’s top academic institutions — as we investigate STGaia’s potential in preserving telomere length and supporting genomic integrity at the cellular level,” he added.
