Evaluation of Biological Activity of Natural Composite Extracts

Abstract

To increase the value of using natural plants, we developed antioxidant and anti-aging cosmetic ingredients using Portulaca oleracea(PO) and Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb(APL), known as natural medicinal plants. Both PO and APL were extracted with ethanol as solvents and thecomposite extract was prepared in a 1:1 ratio of PO and APL extracts. The final samples were compared and evaluated based on three extracts, i.e., PO extract, composite extract, and APL extract. The antioxidant effects of these samples were evaluated by measuring DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, whereas the anti-aging effects were evaluated via Collagenase and Elastase inhibition rates. In evaluating the antioxidant activity of the APL extract was the highest, whereas that of the composite extract showed inhibitory activity similar to thatof the single extracts but still lower than that of individual extracts. Moreover, the anti-aging effect of the composite extract demonstrated higher inhibitory activity than that of the single tract. The highest inhibition rate was shown in a 2:1 ratio of PO and APL composite. The results to date demonstrate that the composite extract of APL and PO has an efficacy to be used as a functional cosmetic material. With increased interest in anti-aging and well-being around the world, the development of natural materials for herbal medicine is expected to have a considerable effect on the cosmetic industry in future.