Biotechnological exploration of Carthamus tinctorius as apromising approach for cosmeceuticals: Phytochemical, biological, and micro-emulgel formulation development studies

Abstract

• Carthamus tinctorius is a medicinal plant known to possess different traditional uses. • Seed extract of the plant were screened for phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, and anti-tyrosinase activities. • The studied extract was found to contain considerable bioactive compounds and biological potential. • The micro-emulgel of plant extract was formulated and characterized by different standard in-vitro paraments. The micro-emulgel (MEG) loaded with natural plant extracts can be a promising innovative technique for cosmetology as the use of plant-based phytochemicals is gaining popularity day by day in the field. So, the present study was meant to formulate, characterize, and evaluate plant extract-based (seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, CT ) polyphenol-loaded MEG. Assessment of the plant extract for antioxidant potential was made by DPPH and reducing power assay, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, tyrosinase inhibition potential, polyphenolic profiling by HPLC and was subjected to formulate a stable MEG system; further assessed by stability studies of three months by zeta analysis (zeta sizing and potential), polydispersity index and release of phytoconstituents using static Franz-diffusion cell. Results revealed that CT extract is constituted of several polyphenols with high antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential. Moreover, the developed micro-emulsion is stable at various storage conditions with promising zeta size, zeta potential, and PDI values of 216.6 nm, -18 mV, and 0.442, respectively. 86.64% release from micro-emulsion was observed in comparison to 47.60% release from MEG. Conclusively, CT -based polyphenol-loaded stable MEG could be potentially employed as an improved vehicle for cosmeceutical purposes than conventional formulations.