Anti-aging activity of tetrahydrocurcumin, Centella asiatica extract, and its mixture

Abstract

Tetrahydrocurcumin has potent antioxidant activity and depigmentation of the skin. Centella asiatica extract can stimulate the formation of collagen, thus reducing wrinkles in aging skin. The combination of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and Centella asiatica extract (CAE) is expected to improve various parameters of premature aging. This study used pre-test post-test control group design. Mice were randomized into 5 test groups. The dorsal part of the mice was shaved, and then various anti-aging parameters, including skin sensitivity, moisture content, collagen levels, elasticity, and large pores, were measured using a skin analyzer. Furthermore, the dorsal was smeared with a cream base for the negative control (NC) group, a cream containing ethyl ascorbyl ether for the positive control (PC) group, a cream containing THC for THC group, a cream containing CAE for the CAE group, and a cream containing THC and CAE for the Combination group, each with a dose of 2 mg/cm2 before and after UV irradiation. After treatment for four weeks, the anti-aging parameters were measured again. The combination of THC and CAE could increase the collagen and elasticity levels compared to THC and CAE itself, but the increase was not significant. Based on all anti-aging parameters scores, THC and CAE’s combination did not provide more significant anti-aging activity than single THC and single CAE.