Phenolic Compounds from Leaves and Flowers of Hibiscus roseus: Potential Skin Cosmetic Applications of an Under-Investigated Species

Abstract

The use of plant extracts in skin-care cosmetics is a modern trend due to their richness in polyphenols that act as anti-aging molecules. Hibiscus roseus is a perennial species naturalized in Italy, with beautiful soft pink flowers; its phenolic composition and biological activities have not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify the phenolics and to evaluate the antioxidant, sun protection factor (SPF), and anti-collagenase activities of the ethanolic extracts of H. roseus leaves (HL) and flowers (HF). p-Coumaric, chlorogenic, and trans-ferulic acids derivatives as well as quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids were the main phenolic compounds detected. Catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, tiliroside, oenin, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside were detected only in HF, while phloridzin was exclusive from HL, which also showed greater amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. HF was richer in flavonoids and total phenolics, also exhibiting greater antioxidant capacity. The SPF and anti-collagenase activity of both extracts were similar and comparable to those of synthetic standards. The overall results demonstrate that H. roseus extracts are promising sources of bioactive phenolic compounds that could be potentially applied as anti-aging agents in skin-care cosmetics.

The Biological Activity Mechanism of Chlorogenic Acid and Its Applications in Food Industry: A Review

“…In animal husbandry, CGA is added to livestock feed to regulate intestinal flora, and increase the preservation period of animal sperm ( 146 , 147 ), etc. CGA is often involved in cosmetics and daily chemical products due to of its good anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties ( 148 , 149 ). We have summarized the biological activity mechanism of CGA and its application in food, and provided a convenient way for scholars studying this field, in order to make a certain contribution to the subsequent discovery of biological activity and the broadening of the field of CGA.…”

The Feasibility of Utilizing Cultured Cordyceps militaris Residues in Cosmetics: Biological Activity Assessment of Their Crude Extracts

“…Nevertheless, natural antioxidants tend to be preferred due to the side effects of synthetic antioxidants, along with the arrival of natural trends in cosmetics. Natural antioxidants comprise a group of phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals that are be available in natural resources; among them, plant polyphenols and phenolic acids have been the most studied and focused on for cosmetic applications [32,33,51]. At present, new alternative sources-especially fungi-are gaining interest in the study and investigation of their constituents for further development as natural antioxidants.…”

The Compositional Aspects of Edible Flowers as an Emerging Horticultural Product

“…Fifteen phenolic acids were also identified in orange-colored specimens of Mexican Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), in which hydroxybenzoic acids, namely, pyrogallol and gallic acid, were the most abundant phenolic acids in the flower extract (methanol and water (1:4)) [42]. The principal compounds detected in the ethanolic extract (75%) of Hibiscus roseus Thore flowers were mostly phenolic acid derivatives, namely p-Coumaric, chlorogenic, and trans-ferulic acids [43].…”