Evaluation of Citrus junos Essential Oil as a Promising Anti-aging Ingredient: In Vitro and Clinical Studies on Skin Health Improvement

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed Citrus junos essential oil (CJEO) as an anti-aging agent for improving skin health.Methods: CJEO was extracted from authenticated C. junos fruit peels, and its chemical composition was analyzed using a gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitro experiments were conducted on human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to evaluate CJEO’s impact on cell viability, anti-inflammatory activity, collagen synthesis, and collagen degradation. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, MMP-1, MMP-3, COL1A1, and COL3A1 was quantified using RT-qPCR. A dermal patch test was performed on human participants to assess potential skin irritation, and clinical evaluations were conducted on 20 female participants to analyze CJEO’s effects on skin elasticity.Results: CJEO effectively inhibited nitric oxide production and significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-κB, as well as collagen degradation markers MMP-1 and MMP-3. Furthermore, CJEO treatment upregulated the expression of genes associated with collagen synthesis, specifically COL1A1 and COL3A1. Notably, significant improvements in skin elasticity were observed in the 20 female participants. The dermal patch test indicated excellent tolerance of the CJEO emulsion without causing irritation.Conclusions: CJEO exhibits promising potential as a bioactive ingredient in anti-aging cosmeceuticals. Its anti-inflammatory properties, ability to stimulate collagen synthesis, suggest efficacy in reducing skin aging and promoting overall skin health. Additionally, the dermal patch test confirms CJEO’s safety, supporting its suitability for use in cosmetic formulations. These findings endorse CJEO as an effective and safe component in anti-aging skincare products.