The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of active ingredients in cosmetics are very important.The effects are closely related to the prevention of skin aging. Among medicinal plants, Bletilla striata Reichenbach fil. has well-known pharmacological activity. Extracted samples were prepared using sequential fractionation of ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The antioxidant effect of the fractions was confirmed by DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging. Among the various fractions of B. striata Reichenbach fil., ethyl acetate was associated with a reduction in nitric oxide production, which was induced by LPS (lipopolysaccharide) treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the production of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), which are upstream regulators of nitric oxide production, was also inhibited. Thus, the ethyl acetate fraction of B. striata Reichenbach fil. appears to be a potential active ingredient for use in cosmetics.
Existing pharmaceutical studies show that Magnolia biondii is effective in treating rhinitis and in reducing cholesterol, given its endogenous, volatile ingredients. The study herein seeks to assess the cosmeceutical activities and anti-inflammatory activities of Magnolia biondii extracts for possible application as cosmetic ingredients. The cosmeceutical and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by Western blotting. Magnolia biondii extracts were identified to have antioxidant activities in hydroxyl free radical scavenging, SOD-like activity, and XO inhibition. In testing the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts, NO production was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.Additionally, in a dose-dependent manner, the Magnolia biondii extracts were able to suppress iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. From these results, Magnolia biondii showed adequate potential for application in cosmetic production and related industries as well as a functional material.
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