Comparison of chemical profiles, antioxidation, inhibition of skin extracellular matrix degradation, and anti-tyrosinase activity between mycelium and fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes.

CONTEXT: Cordyceps militaris and Isaria tenuipes (Cordycipitaceae) are high-value fungi that are used for health-promoting food supplements. Since laboratory cultivation has begun for these fungi, increased output has been achieved. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the chemical profiles, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and skin extracellular matrix degradation inhibition between mycelium and fruiting body of C. militaris and I. tenuipes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidative potential of 10% v/v aqueous infused extract from each fungus was separately investigated using 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant ability, and ferric thiocyanate methods. The inhibition against MMP-1, elastase, and hyaluronidase were determined to reveal their anti-wrinkle potential. Anti-tyrosinase activities were determined. RESULTS: C. militaris and I. tenuipes extracts were found to contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and adenosine. A correlation was discovered between the chemical compositions and their biological activities. The extract from I. tenuipes fruiting body (IF) was highlighted as an extraordinary elastase inhibitor (IC50 = 0.006 ± 0.004 mg/mL), hyaluronidase inhibitor (IC50: 30.3 ± 3.2 mg/mL), and antioxidant via radical scavenging (ABTS IC50: 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL; DPPH IC50: 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/mL), thereby reducing ability (EC1: 95.3 ± 4.8 mM FeSO4/g extract) and lipid peroxidation prevention (IC50: 0.40 ± 0.11 mg/mL). IF had a three-times higher EC1 value than ascorbic acid and significantly higher elastase inhibition than epigallocatechin gallate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: IF is proposed as a powerful natural extract with antioxidant and anti-wrinkle properties; therefore, it is suggested for further use in pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries.

Herbal Extracts as Potential Antioxidant, Anti-Aging, Anti-Inflammatory, and Whitening Cosmeceutical Ingredients.

The aim of this research was to investigate and compare the antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory activities of 16 herbal extracts for topical application in cosmetic/cosmeceutical products. Herbal plant materials were extracted by infusion in boiled water for 15 min. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of each extract were investigated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activities were investigated using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Anti-tyrosinase and anti-aging activities were investigated using an in vitro enzymatic-spectrophotometric method. Anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The findings show that the Stevia rebaudiana extract has the most significant levels of both phenols and flavonoids (p<0.05). The S. rebaudiana, Rosa damascene, and Phyllanthus emblica extracts possessed the most significant antioxidant activities (p<0.05) and a promising whitening effect with moderate anti-tyrosinase activities. Furthermore, the Echinacea purpurea extract possessed the most significant anti-collagenase (78.5±0.0 %), anti-elastase (69.0±1.4 %), and anti-hyaluronidase activity (64.2±0.3 %). The Morus alba extract possessed the most significant anti-inflammatory activity since it could inhibit the secretion of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (p<0.05). Therefore, these herbal extracts have promising skin benefits and have potential for use as active ingredients in cosmetic/cosmeceutical products.

Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Effects of Diarylheptanoids Isolated from Curcuma comosa Rhizomes on Leukaemic Cells.

Curcuma comosa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. In this study, two natural compounds were isolated from C. comosa, and their structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance. The isolated compounds were identified as 7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-(1E)-1-heptene (1) and trans-1,7-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-1-heptene (2). Compound 1 showed the strongest cytotoxicity effect against HL-60 cells, while its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were stronger than those of compound 2. Compound 1 proved to be a potent antioxidant, compared to ascorbic acid. Neither compounds had any effect on red blood cell haemolysis. Furthermore, compound 1 significantly decreased Wilms' tumour 1 protein expression and cell proliferation in KG-1a cells. Compound 1 decreased the WT1 protein levels in a time- and dose- dependent manner. Compound 1 suppressed cell cycle at the S phase. In conclusion, compound 1 has a promising chemotherapeutic potential against leukaemia.

Isolation and biological activity of agrostophillinol from kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) leaves.

The leaves of the kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) are commonly used in cuisine and folk medicine. The aim of this study was to isolate a bioactive compound in kaffir lime leaves and characterize its biological activity. The compound was isolated from a hexane fractional extract and identified as agrostophillinol. This is the first report of agrostophillinol isolated from kaffir lime leaves. In terms of cytotoxicity, agrostophillinol exhibited IC50 values of 36.27 ± 7.30 and 53.44 ± 10.63 µg/mL against EoL-1 and HL60 cells, respectively. Agrostophillinol also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity, significantly inhibiting IL-6 secretion.

Transdermal delivery enhancement of carvacrol from Origanum vulgare L. essential oil by microemulsion.

Carvacrol has been reported for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity by cyclooxygenase inhibition but it could induce gastrointestinal toxicity because of its non-selective inhibition. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop transdermal microemulsion from Origanum vulgare essential oil to deliver carvacrol into and through the skin which would overwhelm the gastrointestinal problems. O. vulgare essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its carvacrol content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed using water dilution method to investigate the suitable microemulsion components. Microemulsions were then characterized for external appearance, particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, electrical conductivity, refractive index, viscosity, transmittance, pH, and stability. Additionally, the irritation property of microemulsions were investigated by hen's egg on the chorioallantoic membrane assay. The release profile, percutaneous absorption, and skin retention were investigated using dialysis bag and Franz diffusion cell, respectively. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were investigated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results remarked that carvacrol was a major component of O. vulgare essential oil with high concentration of 83.7%. The most suitable microemulsion (ME 1), composing of 5% w/w O. vulgare essential oil, 25%w/w Tween 60, 25%w/w butylene glycol, and 45%w/w deionized water, had the smallest internal droplet size (179.5 ± 27.9 nm), the narrowest polydispersity index (0.30 ± 0.07), the highest transmittance (93.13 ± 0.04%), and Newtonian flow behavior with low viscosity of 0.30 ± 0.07 Pas. ME 1 could reduce the irritation effect of O. vulgare essential oil since ME 1 (IS = 3.1 ± 0.10) exhibited significantly lower irritation effect than its blank formulation (IS = 4.8 ± 0.02) and O. vulgare oil solution (IS = 5.0 ± 0.01) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ME 1 sustain released carvacrol from the formulation, remarkedly deliver more carvacrol through the skin layer (2.6 ± 2.2%) and significantly retained carvacrol in the skin layer (2.60 ± 1.25%). Additionally, ME 1 significantly enhanced IL-6 inhibition of O. vulgaris oil and carvacrol (p < 0.05). Therefore, O. vulgaris oil microemulsion was suggested to be used for the transdermal delivery and anti-inflammatory activities enhancement of carvacrol.