Longevity: tradition and botanical science for long-term health
How long we live and how long we live well are not the same thing. Whilst the concept of ‘lifespan’ was scientifically coined in the early 20th century with the development of modern biology, demography and mortality records, the concept of ‘healthspan’ was introduced in the 1960s within the field of geriatrics, and has only become commonly used in this new century, associated with the notion of ‘longevity’.
Between 1950 and 2020, the world population has almost tripled, and life expectancy has risen from 47 to 73 years – a 26-year expansion – a trend which, in many countries, together with a remarkable demographic decline, has led to an inevitable population ageing. However, the average lifespan- healthspan global gap has not narrowed at the same rate and is currently estimated at around 9 years. This represents almost a decade of life spent with chronic conditions, dependence on multiple medications and the need for care, which places a significant burden on the public health system and, more broadly, on society. Modern medicine has placed this ‘lost decade’ at the centre of its research agenda.
But how much do genetic factors influence longevity? Whilst it was once thought, based on twin studies, that genetic factors accounted for 20–30 %, it is now estimated that, excluding extrinsic mortality – that is, deaths due to violence, infections or accidents – the influence reaches 50–55 %.
This may seem like bad news, but if we look at the glass half full, we realise that the other 50 % is entirely in our hands and depends on our lifestyle, that is, our daily habits.
This is partly the secret of the Blue Zones, the five geographical areas of the planet where people live the longest and in the best health: what their communities have in common is not just life expectancy, but the quality of ageing; regular physical activity, a positive mental attitude, spirituality, and strong social and family bonds are key factors, with a predominantly vegetarian diet (with a high intake of pulses) rich in polyphenols playing a central role.
The three biological pillars of healthspan
In recent years, scientific research has identified some biological drivers that can be targeted to extend healthspan. Among these, in addition to moderate but regular physical activity, three factors stand out very clearly in the scientific literature.
The oxidative and inflammatory state. Inflammaging — the chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with ageing — is now considered one of the main drivers of biological decline. It is a systemic process that, over time, damages tissues, alters cellular metabolism, and increases the risk of all age-related chronic conditions: cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative and oncological. Oxidative stress is closely linked to inflammaging.
Sleep quality. Sleep is one of the body’s most powerful regenerative mechanisms. During deep sleep, the brain activates neurotoxic protein clearance (such as that of β-amyloids, whose accumulation can damage the brain), memory is consolidated, hormone levels are regulated, and tissues are repaired. Chronically insufficient or poor-quality sleep accelerates cognitive decline, impairs metabolic and immune function, and increases cardiovascular risk.
Gut health and microbiota. Our gut — with more than 100 million neurons — is increasingly regarded as a cornerstone of healthy ageing. Gut microbiota influences immunity, mood, energy metabolism and even cognitive function via the gut-brain axis. Prolonged gut dysbiosis contributes to systemic inflammation, SCFAs (Short-Chain Fatty Acids) reduction, and a cascade of adverse effects on the body’s overall physiology.
Three drivers, three areas of intervention for which science now offers rigorously tested botanical extracts, supported by traditional use.
The pomegranate: the antioxidant par excellence for three thousand years
The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the oldest and most symbolic plants of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culture. In Greek mythology, it was the fruit of Persephone, queen of the Underworld and of cyclical rebirth; in Jewish tradition, it represents fulfilment and wisdom; in ancient Egypt, it was buried alongside the dead as provisions for the afterlife, as a symbol of eternal life; in ancient Persia, it was the fruit of warriors, ritually eaten before battle to improve strength; finally, in Christian tradition, it is associated with Redemption. What all these traditions have in common is that the pomegranate returns as a symbol of fertility, health, and immortality: an insight that contemporary biochemistry has begun to unravel using far more precise tools.
Active ingredients and phytocomplex.
Pomegranate fruit extract contains ellagitannins, the predominant class of polyphenols in the phytocomplex — punicalagin and its derivative, ellagic acid — as well as minor phenolic compounds. This is the chemical profile of the EPO Made in Sicily pomegranate extract.
Mechanism of action: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
The ellagitannins and anthocyanins in pomegranate exert a powerful and well-documented free radical scavenging activity, reducing systemic inflammation.
In vitro studies (Sorrenti et al., 2019, Frontiers in Microbiology) have demonstrated that the extract, in combination with probiotics, can significantly reduce intracellular lipid accumulation and modulate the gene expression of the main transcriptional factors involved in adipogenesis, with potential implications for weight management, a significant factor for healthspan.
BlueCALM®: sleep as a remedy, skullcap as an ally
Neurophysiology has established that no animal with a complex nervous system can survive total sleep deprivation. This shows how essential sleep is; yet it is one of the most systematically neglected physiological functions in modern life.
Blue skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.), a perennial herb found in the woodlands of North America, has a traditional use dating back to indigenous peoples, who employed it to aid relaxation, alleviate anxiety, and promote sleep. In Europe, it was known as a calming remedy as early as the 18th century, when botanists, in the Age of Enlightenment, classified it among medicinal plants of interest. In North American folk medicine, it was called ‘blue skullcap’ because of its small, helmet-shaped blue flowers and its ability to ‘calm the head’.
Today we know that its phytocomplex includes flavonoids (baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin), diterpenoids (scutelaterin A, B and C), phenylpropanoids (caffeic, cinnamic, coumaric and ferulic acids), essential oils, amino acids and melatonin.
BlueCALM® is the dry extract of Scutellaria lateriflora L. produced by EPO, standardised to contain 10% baicalin, with a supply chain entirely based in Italy (Lombardy and Trentino) and DNA-certified to prevent adulteration with the morphologically similar but hepatotoxic germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.). In vitro studies have documented the following properties:
Antioxidant activity: BlueCALM® exhibits scavenging activity against ABTS radicals, with a statistically significant reduction in free radical levels compared with the control.
Anti-glycation activity: BlueCALM® inhibits the formation of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products), harmful compounds resulting from the combination of proteins and fats with sugars, which are involved in many chronic degenerative diseases and in the ageing process.
Cortisol inhibition: BlueCALM® has also demonstrated significant inhibition of cortisol release; chronic excess cortisol is associated with insomnia, anxiety, depression, osteoporosis and impaired neuroendocrine and immune functions. All these factors directly affect healthspan.
Olivellax®: gut health for healthy ageing
The gut is our second brain: with over 100 million neurons and an exchange surface area of approximately 30 square metres, the gastrointestinal tract is much more than just a digestive organ. It is a complex ecosystem — the gut microbiota — that influences immunity, mood, metabolic function and, as research is increasingly showing, the rate of biological ageing.
The link between gut health and healthspan depends on several mechanisms: the production of SCFAs (Short Chain Fatty Acids) by the microbiota, which nourish the cells of the colon and regulate intestinal motility; the modulation of systemic inflammation, which often originates from gut dysbiosis; the gut-brain axis, which links the digestive system to the central nervous system, influencing mood, stress and cognitive function. Researchers have identified specific alterations in the microbiota of older adults that are associated with a deterioration in general health.
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a hardy shrub native to the coastal and mountainous regions of Eurasia, used as a remedy to regulate bowel function since the 16th century. Its orange berries are an extraordinary concentrate of polyphenols, with the flavonoid isorhamnetin as the main marker.
Olivellax® is the dry powdered extract of Hippophae rhamnoides L. produced by EPO, standardised to contain isorhamnetin, with a DNA-certified supply chain. Its unique phytocomplex enables a multi-faceted mechanism of action on intestinal transit, as documented in vitro.
Isorhamnetin derivatives exert a prokinetic effect, stimulating peristalsis, while mannitol naturally present in the fruits acts similarly to an osmotic laxative. Olivellax® also modulates aquaporin 3 (AQP-3) expression, a transmembrane protein that regulates water transport within the colon, and helps restore SCFA levels.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Morone et al., 2026, Nutrients) involving 90 subjects with chronic idiopathic constipation (Rome IV criteria) demonstrated that 500 mg/day of Olivellax® for 28 days increases the number of spontaneous, complete bowel movements per week by more than 40%, normalizes stool consistency according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and improves bloating, abdominal pain, and heaviness.
The quality that makes the difference
Antioxidants, sleep quality, gut microbiota health: three biological drivers, three botanicals that promote longevity. The well-established tradition linking pomegranate, blue skullcap and sea buckthorn shows that nature provides valuable resources for our health, but extract standardisation ensures their reproducible effects.
EPO Srl, with over 90 years' experience in the production of plant extracts, guarantees that extracts are standardised for active ingredients using official and validated analytical methods. For its Branded Extracts (Dermogranate®, BlueCALM®, Olivellax®), EPO also provides efficacy studies with a particular focus on bioaccessibility and bioavailability.
For information on EPO extracts, visit www.eposrl.com or contact the EPO sales team.