Stability and clinical effectiveness of emulsion containing Asparagus racemosus root extract

Abstract

Asparagus racemosus root extract was entrapped in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) by a physical mixing method and then incorporated in an oil in water (o/w) emulsion to evaluate its stability and clinical effectiveness. After the emulsion containing the HPβCD-entrapped extract was kept at 45.0 ± 2.0°C for 90 days, 90% of saponins, major compounds of the extract, remained. Without entrapment with HPβCD, the amount of saponins would have decreased to 10% after storage for 60 days. After application of the emulsion containing the entrapped extract or the unentrapped extract to the outermost layer of full thickness skin, about 38% of saponins could penetrate into the skin. A higher amount of saponins was accumulated in the outermost layer applied with emulsion containing the entrapped extract. For a clinical study, measurement of the surface evaluation of wrinkles (SEw) at the zygomatic area of the face was measured at weeks 8 and 12. The average SEw value of group of subjects that applied the extract-free emulsion was significantly higher than that of the group that applied the emulsion containing the entrapped extract (p < 0.05). Our study indicates that in o/w emulsion, saponins in A. racemosus root extract could maintain their stability after entrapping the extract within HPβCD. Moreover, the effectiveness of the entrapped extract on prevention of wrinkle progression was seen.

In Vitro and In Vivo Regulation of SRD5A mRNA Expression of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extract from Asparagus racemosus Willd. Root as Anti-Sebum and Pore-Minimizing Active Ingredients

“…Only a few studies have investigated the biological activities and applications of the root extract of A. racemosus for functional cosmetic applications [ 20 , 22 , 34 ], while there are no studies on its anti-sebum efficacy. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds of A. racemosus root extract and determine its effects on antioxidant potential and SRD5A gene regulation.…”