Skin health ingredient DracoBelle Nu sd achieves self-affirmed GRAS status

In an August 25, 2025, press release, Mibelle AG Biochemistry announced that its ingredient DracoBelle Nu sd had achieved self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the U.S. DracoBelle Nu sd is derived from Moldavian Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) and is aimed at enhancing collagen.

As stated in the press release, the safety data of the ingredient was reviewed by a panel of toxicology experts who reached a unanimous conclusion. Additionally, a preprint evaluation¹ of the powdered extract examined several in vitro and in vivo studies, testing its genotoxicity and 90-day repeated-dose toxicity.

“Achieving GRAS reflects our commitment to rigorous safety standards and evidence-based innovation and underscores our dedication to provide high-quality, evidence-based ingredients for the food, beverage, and supplement industry,” stated Torsten Grothe, PhD, head of food and health at Mibelle Biochemistry, in the press release.

An April 2025 study² published in OBM Geriatrics examined the potential of DracoBelle Nu sd for antiaging effects for skin health, testing daily supplementation of 103 participants taking 100 mg extract compared with placebo for 12 weeks. Skin hydration and thickness were measured, as well as gene expression, with results demonstrating increased skin thickness and moisture. The activation of the longevity pathway AMPK-FOXO1 in myoblast cells was also seen. The researchers concluded that supplementation could improve skin health and appearance, particularly for older adults.

“As suitable for vegan products, DracoBelle Nu is one of my most popular ingredients for beauty-from-within and anti-aging,” added Kristi Serena, commercial director U.S. at Mibelle. “Obtaining GRAS status is a significant milestone that opens the door to new and exciting product applications across the food, beverage, and supplement industries.”

DracoBelle Nu sd is water-soluble and features a mild lemon balm-like taste. It can be incorporated for use in gummies, shots, beverages, gels, bars, and other functional foods, the press release explained. This ingredient is a more concentrated version of DracoBelle™ Nu, which was launched in 2018.

References

1. Choi, B.; Glávits, R.; Clewell, A.; Endres, JR.; Hirka, G.; Vértesi, A.; Béres, E.; Szakonyiné, IP. An evaluation of genotoxicity and 90-day repeated-dose toxicity in rats of a Dracocephalum moldavica powdered extract, bioRxiv, 2025, DOI: 10.1101/2025.07.17.665188
2. Baumann, J.; Bönzli, E.; Wandrey, F.; Grothe, T. Moldavian Dragonhead Extract: A Natural Collagen-Booster to Target Skin Aging OBM Geriatrics, 2025; 9(2): 305; DOI: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2502305.