Rosemary bioactive phytochemicals as a strategy for the management of age related conditions

Abstract

Research on plant-derived bioactive metabolites has earned growing interest in pharmaceutical applications. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lamiaceae family) is one of the most used aromatic food ingredients due to a plethora of specialized metabolites with beneficial health effects. Several rosemary components, including phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids) and terpenoids (triterpenes, phenolic diterpenes, and volatile monoterpenes), have demonstrated various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and beneficial effects against neurological, metabolic, and age-related disorders. This review critically examines the scientific evidence supporting the use of rosemary bioactives in managing both systemic age-related diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders) and dermatological aging conditions (e.g., photoaging, loss of elasticity). Additionally, recent scientific evidence related to its use in skin-aging ingredients, functional foods, and applications in aromatherapy has been detailed and critically discussed, including possible bioactive metabolites and safety concerns.