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.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of Fermented Ocimum sanctum Linn. Extracts against Skin and Scalp Microorganisms.

This study aimed to revealed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of fermented Ocimum sanctum Linn. (FE). The fermentation process with Lactobacillus plantarum was compared with the solvent extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans, and Malassezia furfur was investigated via broth dilution method. High performance thin layer chromatography was used to determine eugenol content. The anti-inflammation was investigated by means of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression inhibition by Western blot analysis. FE yielded the highest amount (11.93 % w/w), the highest eugenol content (39.3±12.6 % w/w), and the highest antimicrobial activities comparing to the extracts obtained from the solvent extractions. The fungal inhibition against M. furfur 656 was equivalent to that of ketoconazole. Furthermore, the bacterial inhibition on S. aureus and S. epidermidis was compared to that of Penicillin G at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, FE had lower MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration against P. acnes than Penicillin G and also possessed comparable anti-inflammatory activity to indomethacin with the NF-κB suppression of 42.7±4.6 %. Therefore, FE are potentially natural anti-inflammation and antimicrobial agents for topical applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Enhancement of phenolics content and biological activities of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) treated with thermal and ageing process.

This study is the first to compare the chemical compositions and biological activities of a conventional dried Dimocarpus longan with a novel black D. longan that underwent a thermal ageing process. Pericarp, aril, and seed of both D. longan were macerated in 95% v/v ethanol. Their chemical compositions were investigated using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay, aluminum chloride assay, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in terms of radical scavenging and iron (III) reduction capacity. An enzyme inhibition assay was used to evaluate the hyaluronidase inhibition. Inflammatory cytokine secretion was evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After being exposed to a heating and ageing procedure, gallic acid and ellagic acid content were increased tenfold, while the corilagin content was doubled. Black D. longan seed extract was the most potent anti-hyaluronidase and antioxidant with the strongest free radical scavenging and reduction power, while black D. longan aril extract resulted in the highest inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion. Black D. longan contained more biologically active compounds and possessed more potent biological activities than conventional dried D. longan. Therefore, thermal ageing treatment is suggested for producing black D. longan, for which seed extract is suggested as a cosmeceutical active ingredient and aril extract for anti-inflammation.

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.

Enhancement of the Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Hyaluronidase Activity of Morus alba L. Leaf Extract by Pulsed Electric Field Extraction.

In this study we aimed to compare the chemical composition and biological activity between Morus alba L. leaf extract obtained with 95% v/v ethanol using a pulsed electric field (PEF) and the conventional maceration method. Extracts of M. alba leaves collected from Chiang Mai (CM), Sakon Nakon (SK), and Buriram (BR), Thailand, were investigated for 1-deoxynojirimycin content by high-performance liquid chromatography and for total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was investigated by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Anti-tyrosinase and anti-hyaluronidase activity was investigated by in vitro spectrophotometry. The results show that this is the first study to indicate PEF as a novel method for enhancing the phenolic content and antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-hyaluronidase activity of M. alba leaf extract (P < 0.05). PEF extract of M. alba leaves collected from BR had comparable ABTS•+ scavenging activity to l-ascorbic acid and comparable anti-tyrosinase activity to kojic acid (P > 0.05). On the other hand, PEF extract of M. alba leaves collected from SK exhibited significantly high anti-hyaluronidase activity, comparable to that of oleanolic acid (P > 0.05). Therefore, PEF is suggested for further M. alba leaf extraction in the production of natural whitening and anti-aging cosmetic ingredients.