Evaluation of anti-ageing properties of Moringa oliefera Lam., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Clitoria ternatea L. and Cosmos caudatus Kunth. for potential application as cosmeceuticals

Ph.D ThesisBackground. In 2010, the launch of the Malaysian Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) changed the agriculture sector in Malaysia from “traditional” agriculture into an agribusiness sector. The National Key Research Area (NKRA) in the agriculture sector focuses on raising the status of local herbs for potential commercialisation. Application of local herbs in the cosmetics industry seems to be a promising investment with the current high demand for natural and organic cosmetics worldwide. Given this scenario, this study focused on investigating the anti-ageing properties of selected medicinal plants which are considered as underutilised in Malaysia, as scientific evidence to support their traditional and cosmetic usages is lacking. Aim. This project aims to add agricultural and commercial value to the selected medicinal plants; Moringa oliefera Lam., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Clitoria ternatea L. and Cosmos caudatus Kunth. which were investigated for their anti-ageing properties (antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-tyrosinase activities) and their protective effects against oxidative-stress induced by hydrogen-peroxide and UV radiation in vitro. Methods: Two extracts per plant species were prepared using water and 70% ethanol to mimic either the traditional methods or industrial extract preparations. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by the Folic Ciacalteau method. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry was performed to characterise the individual components of the extracts and to chemically authenticate the plant samples. Antioxidant activities were determined using diphenyl-picryl hydrazine (DPPH), 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS). The results are expressed as Trolox equivalent (mg/g dried extract) and IC50 (μg/mL). The anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activities were measured by fluorescence assays and anti-tyrosinase activity using a colourimetric assay. The iv results are expressed as percentage inhibition (%) compared to control (untreated enzymes). HaCaT cells (human keratinocytes) were used to investigate the protective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity by measuring the percentage cell viability of HaCaT treated with plant extracts compared with the control (untreated HaCaT). The protective effect against UV radiation was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage as a biomarker. Results: In the antioxidant assays. M. oliefera ethanol extract (MOE) showed the highest antioxidant compared with other extracts, with 941 μM/mg, 135 μM/mg, 312 μM/mg of Trolox equivalent (TE)/mg dried extract in the ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays respectively. Other plant extracts also demonstrated antioxidant activities, but at different levels between assays. The correlation analysis of TPC vs. antioxidant activities of all plant extracts showed a strong positive correlation (R=0.74), which suggests that phenolics might be responsible for the observed activities. The collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase assays showed that C. caudatus and C. ternatea extracts were able to inhibit the enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. At the highest concentration tested (1 mg/mL), C. caudatus water extract (CCW) inhibited collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase activities by 48.7%, 64% and 72.6% respectively, while its ethanolic extract (CCE) inhibited collagenase and elastase by 46.7% and 26% respectively. C. ternatea extracts (CTW and CTE) inhibited collagenase, whereas CTE showed higher inhibition compared with CTW (70.1% vs. 82.1% respectively). Both extracts also inhibited elastase with 28% and 24 % inhibition for CTW and CTE respectively. C. asiatica extract showed collagenase inhibition, where its ethanol extract (CAE) inhibited collagenase at 77.4%. Meanwhile, M. oliefera extracts exhibited very low (6-22%) or no activity against the enzymes. v In the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity assay, only the water extracts of M. oliefera (MOW), C. asiatica (CAW) and C. ternatea (CTW) demonstrated significant protective effects (p<0.05). Such activity was absent in the ethanol extracts of the plant species, mainly due to the lower concentrations that had to be used since the ethanol extracts were more toxic to HaCaT compared with the water extracts. Similar results were observed in the UV-induced mtDNA damage assay where the water extracts showed significant protective effects compared to the ethanol extracts. In the UV filter experiment, the water extracts of C. asiatica, C. ternatea, C. caudatus (CAW, CTW, CCW) and MOE showed significant protective effects against UV-induced mtDNA damage (p <0.05). The UV spectra of each plant extract demonstrated UV absorbing properties, which may explain the protective effect observed. Other than that, the antioxidant properties of the extracts could also play a role by lowering UV-induced ROS level in the cells. This is further supported by the comparison of potency, which showed that MOE exerted protective effects in both UV filter and pre-incubation experiments, where MOE was shown to have the highest antioxidant activities in comparison with the other extracts in the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. Conclusion. The findings in this study demonstrate that the prepared extracts of the selected medicinal plants have high potential to be developed into antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, hypopigmentation agents and UV-filters. Significant protective effects against the targets of interest were observed that may provide a scientific explanation for the putative traditional and commercial use of the plants. These findings should therefore increase the value of these underutilised medicinal plants

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of red (Hylocereus polyrhizus) and white (Hylocereus undatus) dragon fruits

Dragon fruit belongs to the genus Hylocereus of the Cactaceae family. There are two species that are commonly cultivated; Hylocerues polyrhizus and Hylocereus undatus that have the same red skin but different flesh colours, red and white respectively. Although from the same genus, the phytochemical contents and bioactivities of both fruits may not be the same. This study aims to compare the phytochemical contents, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of H. polyrhizus and H. undatus to help consumers better choose nutritional fruits and to explore potential natural preservatives. The fruit samples were extracted using 50% ethanol and later were subjected to phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial assays. The phytochemical contents were determined using Folin Ciolcalteu and aluminium chloride methods for total phenolic and total flavonoid respectively. The antioxidant activity was determined using diphenyl-picryl hydrazine (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Disk diffusion method was performed to evaluate antibacterial activities against two food-borne pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. H. polyrhizus showed to contain significantly higher phenolic content (p&lt;0.05), while H. undatus had significantly higher flavonoid content (p&lt;0.05). Comparison of antioxidant activities in both fruit samples indicated higher activities were observed in H. polyrhizus and both fruit extracts showed inhibition zones against the tested bacteria with H. polyrhizus extract was able to inhibit at lower concentration. The results suggest that H. polyrhizus may have higher bioactivities compared to H. undatus due to the significantly higher phenolic content

Color Stability Evaluation of Pigment Extracted from Hylocereus polyrhizus, Clitorea ternatae and Pandanus amaryllfolius as Cosmetic Colorants and Premarket Survey on Customer Acceptance on Natural Cosmetic Product

As public concern towards the long term effect of synthetic materials used in cosmetic formulations, such as the synthetic colorant, therefore natural ingredients are getting more preferred. In this research, evaluation of potential natural colorant extracted from H.polyrhizus, C.ternatae and P.amaryllfolius were investigated in terms of pigments stability against heat exposure. Pigments from each sample were exposed at different temperatures (30°C, 37°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C). Color intensities were measured at 517 nm and compared with control over a week to observe color changes and absorbance readings. Heat treatments were done to investigate the suitability of pigments to be incorporated as colorant in cosmetics products (lipstick) because the production of lipstick required high temperature to melt the ingredients. Pigments from H.polyrhizus showed to be most stable after heat treatment in comparison to C.ternatae and P.amaryllfolius. A premarket survey was done to investigate the customer acceptance on natural vs. synthetic products. Extracts from H. Polyrhizus (red), C.ternatae (blue) and P.amaryllfolius (green) were used to produce natural lipstick where matching synthetic colorant were used to produce another set of lipstick. An online survey was sent to 50 respondents all over the world from the age of 16-52 years old to investigate acceptance on the natural vs. synthetic product. Ranking test (Likert Scale) and hedonistic test were used to compare the best accepted product, color and pH. The consumer acceptance was investigated using the Ranking Test (Likert Scale) and Hedonic Scale test. At the end of the investigation, natural red lipstick was being chosen as the best preferred lipstick at 80% regarding its color and pH. All statistical analysis was done by SPSS and p value &lt;0.05 was considered as significant. The finding suggested that natural colorant (red) was more preferred in comparison to synthetic colorant in cosmetic product based on its color and pH preferences. Thus, focus should be directed towards use of H.polyrhizus in cosmetic products due to higher stability and customer preferences

Antioxidant and phytochemical content of commercial brown rice (Ecobrown) and white rice (Jasmine, Jati Super Special and Manggo Thai) for potential cosmetic rice powder raw materials

Cosmetic rice powder or “bedak sejuk'' has long being used as part of traditional skincare routine. The powdered rice extract is applied on the face, usually at night and will be rinsed off the next morning to obtain smooth and clear skin complexion. Usually, the regular rice available in one’s kitchen is used to make the cosmetic rice powder but different grades of rice (based on the price) will give different effects to the skin. This study aims to investigate and compare the bioactivities and phytochemical composition of different grades of rice available in the market. The rice sample used in this study was Ecobrown rice, Jasmine White rice, Jati Super Special Tempatan rice and Manggo Thai rice. All rice samples were extracted using distilled water by maceration process. The bioactivities; antioxidant capacity was measured using DPPH assay. Phytochemical content was determined as total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was also used to determine phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE). The result showed that brown rice had significantly higher antioxidants with IC50 values of 6.4 mg/mL in DPPH assay. The observed activities were corresponding with total phenolic content, where EcoBrown rice has a significantly higher amount of phenolic content (p?0.05) compared to other samples. Meanwhile, almost similar TFC was observed in all rice samples with Jati Super Special. The analysis of phenolic content was correlated with HPLC analysis, where brown rice was shown to have the highest amount of gallic acid content. In conclusion, brown rice can be considered as a better choice to produce “bedak sejuk”

Exploring the roles of phytobiotics in relieving the impacts of Edwardsiella tarda infection on fish: a mini-review

Edwardsiellosis caused by Edwardsiella tarda resulted in significant economic losses in aquaculture operations worldwide. This disease could infect a wide range of hosts, including freshwater, brackish water, and marine aquatic animals. Currently, antibiotics and vaccines are being used as prophylactic agents to overcome Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. However, application of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria, and the antibiotic residues pose a threat to public health. Meanwhile, the use of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis requires intensive labor work and high costs. Thus, phytobiotics were attempted to be used as antimicrobial agents to minimize the impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture. These phytobiotics may also provide farmers with new options to manage aquaculture species' health. The impact of Edwardsiellosis in aquaculture worldwide was elaborated on and highlighted in this review study, as well as the recent application of phytobiotics in aquaculture and the status of vaccines to combat Edwardsiellosis. This review also focuses on the potential of phytobiotics in improving aquatic animal growth performance, enhancing immune system function, and stimulating disease resistance

Endoplasmic reticulum stress activates unfolded protein response signaling and mediates inflammation, obesity and cardiac dysfunction: Therapeutic and molecular approach

Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although the association between obesity and CVD is a well-established phenomenon, the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This has led to a relative paucity of therapeutic measures for the prevention and treatment of CVD and associated metabolic disorders. Recent studies have shed light on the pivotal role of prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-initiated activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), and the ensuing chronic low-grade inflammation, and altered insulin signaling in promoting obesity-compromised cardiovascular system (CVS). In this aspect, potential ways of attenuating ERS-initiated UPR signaling seems a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions. We review intersecting role of obesity-induced ERS, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in the discovery of targeted therapy. Moreover, this review highlights the current progress and strategies on therapeutics being explored in preclinical and clinical research to modulate ERS and UPR signaling

Utilization and Evaluation of Betalain Pigment from Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Polyrhizus) as a Natural Colorant for Lipstick

Lipstick formulations are most widely used to enhance the beauty of lips. However, current lipcare products are often caused irritation (dry lips, chapped lips and wrinkled lips) to the consumers. The use of synthetic ingredients has also raised safety concern due to adverse health effects in the long term use. The objective of this study was to formulate natural lipsticks by using betalain pigments extracted from Hylocereuspolyrhizus and the lipsticks were evaluated for their organoleptic properties (spreading, hardness, shine and gloss), antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. The organoleptic properties of the formulated lipsticks were found to be satisfactory in order to give attractive beauty to the lips. The antimicrobial activities of the formulated lipstick showed significant inhibition compared to commercial lipsticks and the betalain pigment was proved to have antimicrobial effect. The formulated lipstick showed to have significant antioxidant activities compared to the reference ascorbic acid. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the IC50 value of the formulated lipstick was 54.29 μg/mL, whereas IC50 value for the reference ascorbic acid was 14.56 μg/mL. As the lipsticks were prepared using natural ingredients like dragon fruit, olive oil and vegetable fat, additional medicinal values were added to the product. Adverse health risk effects as concerned by the consumers was minimized and the product can be used without hesitation and confidence. The lipsticks with the natural ingredients like vegetable fat and olive oil is an alternative to synthetic product and serves as an economical and effective cosmoseutical product.</jats:p