Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Areca catechu, Boesenbergia rotunda, Piper betle and Orthosiphon aristatus for Potential Skin Anti-aging Properties

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for various applications including skin care. In this study, Areca catechu, Boesenbergia rotunda, Piper betle and Orthosiphon aristatus were tested for antioxidant and anti-aging properties. These plant extracts were subjected to 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2ʹ-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity analyses. The extracts were then assessed for collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase inhibition and subjected to toxicity study in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Lastly, bioactive compounds in these plant extracts were identified using high performance liquid chromatography. We found that Piper betle and Areca catechu possessed high total flavonoid and phenolic contents. These two extracts showed the best IC50 values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and also demonstrated the highest elastase and collagenase inhibition when compared to the other two plant extracts. These crude plants extracts were also non-toxic to normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Our HPLC results identified several potential bioactive compounds in these plant extracts that could be crucial in mediating the observed effects. Based on our results, these plant extracts especially Piper betle and Areca catechu extracts possess significant antioxidant and anti-aging properties and could be utilized in the development of safe and cost-effective anti-aging treatments.