Imperative Role of Natural Product Chemistry in Cosmeceutical R&D - Phytonanocosmeceuticals

Abstract

Natural product chemistry has always been attractive for drug and cosmetic industries as natural products can address these industries very well. By consumer demand, the cosmetic industry is looking for innovative, safer, more effective, and environmentally friendly products. In this sense, a relatively new concept of cosmetics has emerged under “cosmeceuticals or dermocosmetics/medcosmetics”. Cosmeceuticals are briefly defined as a subclass of cosmetics that contain drug active substances or bioactive natural products with enhanced efficacy for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. They are also described as a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceutics or medical-grade cosmetics, which particularly enhance skin penetration and the restorative effect of active ingredients in cosmetic formulations. On the other hand, nanotechnology has become another exciting area in cosmetics as nanoformulations enhance skin penetration. Therefore, we have been working on research and development of novel phyto-based cosmeceuticals via extensive screening studies on plant extracts and pure natural substances using in vitro (enzyme inhibition, etc), in silico (molecular docking and toxicity screening), and cell-based assays. In this regard, an anti-acne formulation based on a number of plant extracts tested against Propionibacterium acnes has been developed by our group. Besides, an antimicrobial formulation as an oral spray for mouth defense is currently a commercial product. We have been studying nanofiber formulations loaded with plant extract for wound healing. All our ongoing studies on discovering novel active natural ingredients for cosmeceutical purposes have so far yielded three patents and four patent applications and commercialized a final product. In the present mini review, examples and details of our group’s recent findings on phyto-based cosmeceuticals and nanoformulations will be underlined.