Aging is something everyone experiences, but the desire to look and feel young is as old as time itself. Wrinkles appear on the forehead, fine lines near the eyes, and skin loses its glow. These signs often start worrying people in their 30s or 40s. Premature ageing has become a harsh but common reality today where stress, pollution, and unhealthy habits are constant companions, premature ageing has become a common reality.
But now, Patanjali researchers have shared some new findings that may offer new hope. Their work focuses on a herbal formula named Immunogrit, which is made with traditional Ashtavarga herbs and other Ayurvedic plants.
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According to a study recently published in the international journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, this formulation can slow down the process of premature ageing at a cellular level.
Ancient wisdom meets modern science
On the day of the announcement, Acharya Balkrishna, the managing director of Patanjali Ayurved, reminded everyone of the rich knowledge hidden in Indian scriptures. He explained that our sages had already written about herbs that could protect strength, improve immunity, and delay ageing.
These plants, known as Ashtavarga, were once considered rare and precious treasures of Ayurveda.
“Today, people are spending large amounts of money on injections, chemical creams, and surgeries to look young,” he said. “But the real answers already exist in our tradition. Science is now proving what our ancestors knew.”
Acharya Balkrishna added that as the world becomes more aware of holistic health, Ayurveda is gaining global recognition. “It is our heritage. The day is not far when Ayurveda will become a mainstream system of medicine worldwide,” he said.
So what exactly is Immunogrit?
Immunogrit is a polyherbal formulation. This means, it is made from a mix of many herbs. The key plants are: Vidarikand, Meda, Shatavari, Kakoli, Kshirakakoli, Riddhi, Varahikand, Bala, Safed Musali, Shuddh Kauch, and Ashwagandha.
Each of these herbs has its own rejuvenating properties. Shatavari and Ashwagandha are widely used as adaptogens that reduce stress and improve vitality. Safed Musali and Bala are linked with strength and stamina. Vidarikand and Meda are considered nourishing for tissues.
Together, these herbs are said to improve resistance to disease, slow down degeneration of body cells, and maintain the body’s youthful energy.
How does science back this?
While Ayurveda has long spoken about the benefits of these herbs, Patanjali scientists wanted to test their claims with modern methods. Dr. Anurag Varshney, Chief Scientist at Patanjali Research Foundation, explained that Immunogrit has gone through rigorous laboratory studies.
The research team used human skin cells to test how the herbal blend acts against ageing. They created conditions that mimic ageing by using a compound called D-Galactose. This substance speeds up oxidative stress in cell, eventually leading to causing them to show signs of ageing.
When treated with D-Galactose, the cells showed higher levels of ageing markers such as p16, p21, p53, and β-galactosidase.
These markers are like red flags that signal the beginning of cell damage and wrinkles. But when the same ageing cells were treated with Immunogrit, these harmful markers did not rise.
In simple words: Immunogrit stopped the skin cells from behaving like old, damaged cells.
How does immunogrit work?
The study goes on to explain that ageing happens partly because of oxidative stress. It is a process where harmful oxygen molecules attack cells. Over time, this damages proteins, DNA, and even your overall skin structure.
Immunogrit was shown to reduce oxidative stress and protect cells. It also preserves collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and elastic. This helps control enzymes (MMP1 and MMP9) that usually break down skin structure and lead to sagging. In addition, it balance metabolic functions, and ensures that the skin remains healthier for longer.
The study also discovered that Immunogrit interacts with important biological pathways. For instance, it helped maintain balance in AMPK and iNOS2, which are linked to energy and inflammation in cells.
Why does this matter?
Let us admit it. Skin ageing is not only about appearance. When people notice early wrinkles, thinning of skin, or loss of elasticity, it can also affect their mental and emotional health.
Moreover, ageing of cells is connected to serious health conditions like heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. If herbs like those in Immunogrit can truly slow cellular ageing, they may also contribute to overall long-term wellness.
The publication of this research in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, an international scientific journal, gives credibility to Ayurveda in the global medical community.
For centuries, critics have dismissed traditional knowledge as unscientific. But now, more and more studies are validating ancient remedies with modern tools. These include HPTLC, UPLC/MS-QToF, and advanced molecular biology techniques.
As Dr. Varshney put it, “This is not just a herbal supplement—it is a scientifically validated Ayurvedic solution. It shows that when tradition and science come together, extraordinary outcomes are possible.”
Ageing is a natural process, but it does not always move at the same pace for everyone. Some people age faster because of external factors: exposure to the sun, pollution, smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise. And some due to iInternal factors like genetic makeup, diseases, and accumulated cellular damage.
Scientists say that skin ageing is one of the most visible signs of this decline. The skin loses moisture, elasticity, and strength over time. Fine lines appear. Wounds heal more slowly.
The role of plant compounds
Plants are full of secondary metabolites. These include flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids. These natural molecules have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Immunogrit contains a wide variety of these compounds. Researchers confirmed this by using advanced chemical analysis. This diversity of phytochemicals is believed to be the key reason for its anti-ageing effects.
The Patanjali team relied on a well-known scientific method: the D-Galactose induced ageing model. D-Galactose reacts with proteins in cells and produces Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). These AGEs damage skin cells and speed up ageing, making it a reliable way to study anti-ageing therapies in the lab.
When D-Galactose was used on human keratinocyte cells (skin cells), the cells showed clear signs of senescence. This means they stopped dividing and aged. But when Immunogrit came to the picture, the cells stayed healthier. This kept the skin functioning normally.
The study highlights Immunogrit as a strong candidate for use in anti-ageing therapies. Even though this research took place in totally controlled laboratory settings, the next steps could involve clinical trials on humans. This will help decide how effective the formulation is in real-life situations.
If successful, it may become a mainstream therapy not only for skin ageing but also for preventing other age-related health conditions.
Ayurveda experts believe this research is a turning point. It strengthens the argument that traditional medicine is not just about belief.
Ageing can never be completely stopped. It is part of life. But at the end of the day, slowing it down, staying healthier for longer, and ageing gracefully is something we all desire.
Also Read: Patanjali scientists’ research on Renogrit among top 100 papers of 2024 in ‘Nature Portfolio’
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