Influence of Benincasa hispida Peel Extracts on Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Activities, including Molecular Docking Simulation.

Benincasa hispida peel, a type of postconsumer waste, is considered a source of beneficial phytochemicals. Therefore, it was subjected to investigation for biological activities in this study. B. hispida peel was extracted using 95% v/v, 50% v/v ethanol and water. The obtained extracts were B95, B50 and BW. B95 had a high flavonoid content (212.88 ± 4.73 mg QE/g extract) and phenolic content (131.52 ± 0.38 mg GAE/g extract) and possessed high antioxidant activities as confirmed by DPPH, ABTS and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Moreover, B95 showed inhibitory effects against collagenase and hyaluronidase with values of 41.68 ± 0.92% and 29.17 ± 0.66%, which related to anti-aging activities. Via the HPLC analysis, one of the potential compounds found in B95 was rutin. Molecular docking has provided an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction of extracts with collagenase and hyaluronidase. All extracts were not toxic to fibroblast cells and did not irritate the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane, which indicated its safe use. In conclusion, B. hispida peel extracts are promising potential candidates for further use as antioxidant and anti-aging agents in the food and cosmetic industries.

The in vitro effects of black soldier fly larvae (Hermitia illucens) oil as a high-functional active ingredient for inhibiting hyaluronidase, anti-oxidation benefits, whitening, and UVB protection.

Objective: Larvae of Hermitia illucens, or black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), have been recognized for their high lipid yield with a remarkable fatty acid profile. BSFL oil (SFO) offers the added value of a low environmental footprint and a sustainable product. In this study, the characteristics and cosmetic-related activities of SFO were investigated and compared with rice bran oil, olive oil and krill oil which are commonly used in cosmetics and supplements. Methods: The physicochemical characteristics were determined including acid value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter and water content of SFO. The fatty acid composition was determined using GC-MS equipped with TR-FAME. The in vitro antioxidant properties were determined using DPPH, FRAP and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Antihyaluronidase (anti-HAase) activity was measured by detecting enzyme activity and molecular docking of candidate compounds toward the HAase enzyme. The safety assessment towards normal human cells was determined using the MTT assay and the UVB protection upon UVB-irradiated fibroblasts was determined using the DCF-DA assay. The whitening effect of SFO was determined using melanin content inhibition. Results: SFO contains more than 60% polyunsaturated fatty acids followed by saturated fatty acids (up to 37%). The most abundant component found in SFO was linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6 cis). Multiple anti-oxidant mechanisms of SFO were discovered. In addition, SFO and krill oil prevented hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation via strong HAase inhibition comparable with the positive control, oleanolic acid. The molecular docking confirmed the binding interactions and molecular recognition of major free fatty acids toward HAase. Furthermore, SFO exhibited no cytotoxicity on primary human skin fibroblasts, HaCaT keratinocytes and PBMCs (IC50 values > 200 µg/mL). SFO possessed significant in-situ anti-oxidant activity in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts and the melanin inhibition activity as effective as well-known anti-pigmenting compounds (kojic acid and arbutin, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides scientific support for various aspects of SFO. SFO can be considered an alternative oil ingredient in cosmetic products with potential implications for anti-skin aging, whitening and UVB protection properties, making it a potential candidate oil in the cosmetic industry.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Attenuating Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Activities of Nicotiana tabacum var. Virginia Leaf Extract Phytosomes and Shape Memory Gel Formulation.

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of skin aging. In this study, the shape memory gels containing phytosomes were developed as a delivery system for Nicotiana tabacum var. Virginia fresh (VFL) and dry (VDL) leaf extracts. The extracts were loaded in the phytosomes by a solvent displacement method. The physical and chemical characteristics and stability of phytosomes were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and phytochemistry, respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species reduction of phytosomes and/or extracts were investigated by the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, FRAP assay, and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of VDL and VFL phytosomes were studied by an MTT and a nitric oxide assay, respectively. Here, we first reported the total phenolic content in the dry leaf extract of N. tabacum var. Virginia was significantly greater than that of the fresh leaf extract. The HPLC analysis results revealed that VDL and VFL extracts contained 4.94 ± 0.04 and 3.13 ± 0.01 µg/mL of chlorogenic acid and 0.89 ± 0.00 and 0.24 ± 0.00 µg/mL of rutin, respectively. The phytosomes of the VDL and VFL extracts displayed stable size, polydispersity index, zeta potential values, and good chemical stability. VDL and VDL phytosomes showed higher phenolic and flavonoid contents which showed stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging effects and reduced the intracellular ROS. The results suggested that the phenolic compounds are the main factor in their antioxidant activity. Both VDL and VFL phytosomes inhibited nitric oxide production induced by LPS, suggesting the anti-inflammatory activity of the phytosomes. The shape memory gel containing VDL and VFL phytosomes had good physical stability in terms of pH and viscosity. The VDL and VFL phytosomes dispersed in the shape memory gels can be considered as a promising therapeutic delivery system for protecting the skin from oxidation and reactive oxygen species.