Food Spice Research Articles

Effect of subfractions of Allium mongolicum Regel methanolic extract on the proliferation of HepG2 and MCF-7 cells

The aerial part of Allium mongolicum Regel (AMR) which is abundant in the southeastern regions of Mongolia, is used as a food spice. When the crude extracts of this plant were prepared and used for the experiments different biological activities were observed because the extracts contained many polar to nonpolar compounds. This study aimed to prepare subfractions from the crude methanolic extract of AMR and to compare their antiproliferative effects on human cancer cells (HepG2, and MCF-7 cells). The methanolic extracts of AMR were fractionated into six subfractions (methanol, hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water residue) by solvent–solvent partitioning. The total phenolic content (TPC) was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The antioxidant activity of the sub-fractions was determined via DPPH⋅ and ABTS⋅+ assays. Subfraction antiproliferative activity on human cancer cells, HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, was determined by MTS assay. Subfractions showed completely distinct antioxidant and antiproliferative activities (p < 0.001). The highest TPC was in the ethyl acetate fraction (165.4 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g), and the TPC following the addition of dichloromethane, butanol, and methanol. The lowest two were in the n-hexane and water residue fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest free radical scavenging activity in both the DPPH⋅ and ABTS⋅+ assays (660.0 ± 5.24 µM TE/g dw the DPPH⋅ assay; 312.7 ± 5.6 µM TE/g dw the ABTS⋅+ assay). The dichloromethane subfraction affected HepG2 cell proliferation and reduced viable cancer cells. Additionally, the dichloromethane and hexane subfractions affects MCF-7 cell proliferation by reducing the number of viable cancer cells. Subfraction methanolic extract by solvent partitioning is helpful for identifying biologically active compounds that show antiproliferative activity.

Hydro-Ethanol Extracts of Xylopia aethiopica Enhanced Serum Testosterone Levels in Male Adult Wistar Rats

Objectives To investigate the effects of hydro-ethanolic extracts of leaves and fruit with or without seeds on male sex hormones. Material and Methods Hydro-ethanolic extracts of the leaves, fruits with seeds, and fruits without seeds were processed using the Soxhlet extraction technique. Wistar rats were administered 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of the extracts by oral gavage for 30, 60, and 90 days while the control group received feeds and water ad libitum. After the treatment periods, rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Serum follicle-stimulating hormones (FSHs), luteinising hormone (LH), progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Data were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels in rats treated with 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg were significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner compared with controls. Conclusion The consumption of this commonly used food spice appears to have beneficial effects on the male sex hormones.

Urban food (In)security and the role of migrant informal food waste recyclers in Delhi

Urban food systems in developing countries like India are rife with inequalities that preclude food security for all. In this context, the paper examines the role played by informal workers in the ‘circular economy’ for food in improving the accessibility of food and urban food security in Delhi, India. Evidence from an informal street market close to one of the country's largest urban wholesale markets of food grains, pulses and spices in Delhi reveals rare details of how urban food waste plays a significant role in the livelihood strategies of the city's poor migrants while also contributing to the urban food security of the low-income households. Although there is a growing recognition that the street food sector plays an important role in urban food security, the vital role played by waste collectors, home-based workers and street vendors in restoring discarded food grain, pulses and spices, and bringing them back into the urban food system has been largely invisible. This invisibility extends to the gendered segregation of work in food waste recycling, where our study found that predominantly women undertake labour-intensive and lower paid tasks at the bottom of the hierarchy. The paper provides an overview of the nature of informal livelihood, the contribution of informal workers and challenges and opportunities in the urban circular economy for food. However, their contributions are often overshadowed by health and safety concerns about the reuse of discarded food. Further, an analysis of the current policy landscape in urban India also indicates that informal workers are marginalised in the circular economy for food. While the state owes these informal workers support and protection for their contribution to the ‘Circular economy’ for food and urban food security, any effort to sustain these practices would need to incorporate adequate health and safety procedures.

Comparative metabolome variation in Brassica juncea different organs from two varieties as analyzed using SPME and GCMS techniques coupled to chemometrics

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea; Brassicaceae) is an edible, oilseeds-yielding crop widely consumed as a food spice owing to its richness in nutrients with several health benefits. The current study aims to dissect the B. juncea metabolome heterogeneity among its different organs including leaf, stem, flower, and seed. Moreover, assessing the metabolome differences between two different varieties RH-725 and RH-761 grown at the same conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) post-silylation was used to dissect the composition of nutrient metabolites coupled to multivariate data analysis. Variation in sulphur aglycones was measured using headspace-solid phase-microextraction HS-SPME coupled to GC–MS. A total of 101 nutrient metabolites were identified with the abundance of sugars represented by monosaccharides in all organs, except for seeds which were enriched in disaccharides (sucrose). α-Linolenic acid was detected as a marker fatty acid in leaf from RH-725 at 12.5 µg/mg. Malic acid was detected as a significant variant metabolite between the two varieties as detected in the leaf from the RH-725 variety at ca. 128.2 µg/mg compared to traces in RH-761. 7 Volatile sulphur compounds were detected at comparable levels in RH-725 and RH-761, with 3-butenyl isothiocyanate was the most abundant at 0.8–2 ng/mg.

Guidance on Growing Kaffir Lime Seedlings for Housewives at Pajagan Village, Sumedang

Kaffir lime is popularly used by woman, especially housewives for cooking Indonesia dishes. The purpose of present activity was to provide simple guidance on growing kaffir lime for housewives at Pajagan Village, Sumedang, West Java. This counseling was provided for 20 housewives who are members of the Family Empowerment and Welfare (PKK) organization in Pajagan Village. The simple guidance is provided to housewives for planting kaffir lime in their yard, as follows: selecting best seedling, correct transplanting, regular irrigation, effective and efficient fertilizer application and proper harvesting. Housewives were each given one kaffir lime seedling to use as planting practice material. Housewives were very happy, grateful and believed to be more independent in terms of food spice. This activity is hoped to empower housewives to cultivate kaffir lime on their own yard for their daily spice needs.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Background: Tejpatta leaves are well known for their use as spice in food for taste and aromatic purposes. It is mainly used for flavoring food and widely used in pharmaceutical preparation because of its hypoglycemic, stimulant, carminative, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial properties. Keeping the aforementioned properties in view, the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder on growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of broilers for boosting poultry industry production. Methods: Two hundred and twenty five day-old chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary treatment groups (T1-T5) using CRD, each consisting of 45 chicks with roughly equal average body weights. Each group of 45 chicks was subdivided into three replicates (R1, R2 and R3) having 15 chicks per replicate. The T1 group fed basal diet only, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups were fed Tejpatta leaf powder @ 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 1.75%, respectively, along with basal diet. Result: Significant (P less than 0.01) effect on growth characteristics was noticed in broiler chicks due to dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder. Significantly (P less than 0.01) higher body weight, weekly body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and performance index was noticed in T4 group and lowest was observed in T1 group. Significantly (P less than 0.01) higher feed intake was observed in T5 group and lowest was in T1 group. Lowest feed conversion ratio was observed in T4 group and highest in T1 group. Non-significant effect on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood corpuscle count, serum glucose, total protein and cholesterol and creatinine levels was observed in various treatment groups. It was concluded that supplementing broiler diet with Tejpatta leaf powder @ 1.25% could be beneficial for improving broiler chick growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters while having no adverse effects on broiler chicks.

Novel Sesquiterpenoids with Renoprotective Activities from the Fruits of Alpinae oxyphylla as Potent TGF-β1/Smads Phosphorylation Inhibitors.

The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq is an important food spice in southern China and has been used in the treatment of kidney disorders for centuries. In order to discover the natural products with potent renoprotective activities in A. oxyphylla and provide some references for its usage, systematic phytochemical studies were carried out and 24 new diverse sesquiterpenoids, including seven guaiane sesquiterpenoids (1-7), 10 eudesmane sesquiterpenoids (9-13, 18, 19, and 21-23), six cadinane sesquiterpenoids (31-35 and 38), and an eremophilane sesquiterpenoid (40), along with 24 known analogues were isolated and elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data and quantum-chemical calculations. Biological evaluation showed that 6 sesquiterpenoids could significantly inhibit the expression of extracellular matrix components, α-SMA in TGF-β1 induced kidney proximal tubular cells (NRK-52e) at low concentrations, and 9 sesquiterpenoids could also downregulate fibronectin and collagen I in a concentration-dependent manner, showing their potential in renal fibrosis. Further action mechanism study displayed that TGF-β1/Smads pathway might be involved in the antifibrotic effects of active sesquiterpenoids 15 and 43. These studies suggest that A. oxyphylla may have a potential to serve as a functional food in preventing renal fibrosis-associated diseases.

Chemical profiling of citrus fruit-peel and stem extracts by modified UHPLC-TOF-MS and their antiplasmodial, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Citrus jambhiri (Lush) and paradisi (Macf.) have wide usage as food spices. Therefore, the presence of profiled phytochemicals, the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-plasmodial activities of the stem and fruit-peel extracts were studied. The citrus stem and fruit-peel extracts were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF/MS) and anti-plasmodial activities against chloroquine-sensitive (CQS) strain of Plasmodium falciparum, antimicrobial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains as well as antioxidant potentials were determined in triplicate. Metabolite fingerprinting of C. jambhiri stem and C. paradisi fruit-peel extracts revealed rutamarin and spicatin respectively. The stem and fruit-peel of C. jambhiri showed moderate antimalarial activity. C. paradisi stem revealed a weak activity; however, C. paradisi fruit-peel showed no antimalarial activity (IC50 >100 μg/mL). C. paradisi and C. jambhiri extracts exhibited lower inhibition concentration (IC50: 3.0–7.0 µgmL−1), than ascorbic acid (IC50: 9.0 µgmL−1). C. paradisi stem DCM/methanol extract showed a reducing value of EC50: 8.00 µgmL−1 whereas reference compound used, (ascorbic acid) had EC50: 11.00 µgmL−1. Furthermore, C. jambhiri stem extract showed the best antimicrobial activity against the clinical isolates with high inhibition zones ≥ 15 mm. There is a paucity of information on the identification and importance of rutamarin and spicatin from Citrus extracts as a functional food ingredient with a promising compound implicated in the development of antimalarial drugs. Overall result however showed that the two citrus plants contain antioxidant constituents whereas C. jambhiri could be important source of antimicrobial agents. The study profiled two new compounds from the citrus extract and showed the potentials of the plant as source of antimalaria drug.

&lt;i&gt;Curcuma Longa&lt;/i&gt; (Turmeric) Supplements Improved Fasting Blood Glucose Level and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Diabetic Wistar Rats

Turmeric is a spice derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (C. longa) which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Curcuma longa is widely used for food spices, preservatives, and coloring agents. Anxiety disorders are the most frequently occurring mental disorders, they encompass a group of conditions that share extreme or pathological anxiety as the principal disturbance of mood or emotional tone. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. longa supplements on fasting blood glucose levels and anxiety-like behavior in diabetic Wistar rats. Twenty (20) rats were randomly assigned into five (5) groups of four each (N=4). Group I served as control and received distilled water (1 ml/kg), groups II, III, IV and V were diabetic and received glibenclamide (1mg/kg), and C. longa supplements at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Diabetes was induced using intraperitoneal injection of freshly dissolved alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). All administrations were made for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose levels and anxiety-like behavior were determined using a digital glucometer and elevated plus maze test respectively. Based on the results obtained from this study, there was significant (p &lt; 0.05) improvement in fasting blood glucose levels across all supplemented doses of C. longa (2.5%, 5% and 10% at 9.33 ± 0.46 mmol/L, 11.20 ± 0.68 mmol/L and 11.00 ± 0.40 mmol/L respectively) compared to control group (18.13 ± 1.28 mmol/L). Time spent in the opened arm was also increased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in 5% (18.25 1.18 s) and 10% (19.25 1.49 s) groups after 21 days of supplementation compared to before the commencement of supplementation (9.75 ± 1.11 s and 10.25 ± 1.49 s respectively). These findings suggested that the C. longa supplement improved fasting blood glucose and anxiety-like behavior in diabetic Wistar rats.

Extraction and characterization of essential oils from synthesized food spice (Lippia multiflora, ginger &amp; turmeric)

Spices are used globally, and are of great importance in indigenous culinary and traditional medicine applications, they are the product of dried fruits, seed root, bark or vegetative substances. This study synthesized food spice from Lippia multiflora, ginger and turmeric. Some anti-nutritional factors and the chemical composition of the extracted essential oils were evaluated. The chemical composition of the extracted essential oils revealed the presence of over ten (10) compounds, with 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1 methyl (35.21 %), Cyclo-hexane-carboxylic acid (24.00 %), Diethyl Phthalate (15.46 %) and 2-Pyrimidinamine,4,6-dimethyl (5.60 %) being the predominant compounds in the oil. The phytochemical screening of the food spice indicated the respective phytate, oxalate and tannin values for the food spice as; 0.71 mg/100 g, 1.2 mg/100 g and 0.51 mg/100 g respectively. These results are in agreement with previous studies where essential oils were shown to contain complex mixtures of compounds with varying chemical compositions.

Morphological characteristics, genetic diversity, and ethnobotanical uses of Citrus hongheensis (Rutaceae), an endangered species

The species Citrus hongheensis is an endangered species and the most primitive Citrus species with the most developed winged leaves. It is endemic to south Yunnan Province, southwest China, and only distributed in a very narrow area along the south bank of the Honghe river (the Yuanjiang river). By combining ISSR and morphological data from 11 populations, it shows that the species has rich genetic diversity among and within populations although the population is declining gradually. According to field and market surveys, the local Hani people have traditionally used C. hongheensis for a long time, such as the dried young fruits of the species as Chinese traditional medicine, leaves as food spice, as well as other organs. By collecting all existing knowledge of traditional and present uses, as well as further potential uses, we demonstrate that the species has good development prospects. Based on rich diversity, ethnobotanical uses, and a positive cultural environment, it was decided to choose four populations (YJNNDM, LCDX, HHDYJ, and YJYJYJ) of C. hongheensis for in situ conservation and artificial sexual reproduction. This will allow to develop new uses of the species, while providing indications for the conservation of other endangered species.

Designing for identity: how and when brand visual aesthetics enable consumer diasporic identity

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how and when visual referents in brand visual aesthetics (i.e. colours, shapes, patterns and materials) serve as design applications that enable consumer diasporic identity. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses an innovative methodology that triangulates 58 in-depth interviews with diasporic consumers, 9 interviews with brand managers and designers and a visual analysis of brands (food retailer, spices and nuts, skincare, hair and cosmetics, ice cream and wine) to provide a view of the phenomenon from multiple perspectives. Findings This study illustrates how and when particular applications and compositions of product and design referents support diasporic identity for Middle Eastern consumers living outside the Middle East. Specifically, it illustrates how the design applications of harmonising (applying separate ancestral homeland and culture of living product and design referents simultaneously), homaging (departing from the culture of living product and design referents with a subtle tribute to ancestral homeland culture) and heritaging (departing from the ancestral homeland culture product and design referents with slight updates to a culture of living style) can enable diasporic identity in particular social situations. Research limitations/implications Although applied to the Middle Eastern diaspora, this research opens up interesting avenues for future research that assesses diasporic consumers’ responses to brands seeking to use visual design to engage with this market. Moreover, future research should explore these design applications in relation to issues of cultural appreciation and appropriation. Practical implications The hybrid design compositions identified in this study can provide brand managers with practical tools for navigating the design process when targeting a diasporic segment. The design applications and their consequences are discussed while visually demonstrating how they can be crafted. Originality/value While previous research mainly focused on how consumption from the ancestral homeland occurred, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine how hybrid design compositions that combine a diaspora’s ancestral homeland culture and their culture of living simultaneously and to varying degrees resonate with diasporic consumers.

Aesthetics of Color in Afghan cinema

In the world of existence, everything takes its existence to be visible from the light. Light gives color and beauty to objects and creatures. Color gives them an expressive profile. When objects have color, they are seen better and the audience is more attracted to them. In many cases, manufacturers use colors to attract their buyers so that they can attract them to that product.This issue also exists in the cinema. Since the beginning of the cinema until today, all filmmakers have been trying to create a dream space for their audience so that they can convey their desired message to the audience in that space. Therefore, in different eras, new technologies entered the visual space of cinema. Color was one of the effects that entered the silver screen and changed the world of cinema. Color is like spice in food. Just as spice gives food lust, color gives soul and feeling to the image. Today, many filmmakers, apart from feeling and attractiveness, give meaning to the image through color. Because the image is a visual medium, the filmmaker can use the psychological states of colors to induce certain feelings of the scene and story to his audience.In the western world, the use of color and sense of color in the scene has become a common category and all filmmakers use it well, but this case has not grown much in the cinema of Central Asia, especially in the Middle East countries. In countries like Iran and Afghanistan, they cannot use color properly because many filmmakers in these countries do not know color properly, and this lack of knowledge about color in many cases makes them unable to use color correctly and have amazing effects. have it on the audience and convey the message to the audience.In many Central Asian films, the absence of color psychology in the films is clearly understandable. Few filmmakers like Asghar Farhadi in Iran try to use color correctly. But in Afghanistan, it can be said that there is no filmmaking that can use color in the right way. But in Indian cinema, they use color in an exaggerated manner, of course, it should be said that part of this exaggeration is due to the type of Indian culture that they are more interested in happy colors and in their country they have a special festival called the festival of colors. But in European and American cinema, color is used to convey the feeling of the scene and story. For example, in the movie Avatar, blue color can be seen in most of the film space. And it evokes a special feeling towards the scenes of the movie, or like Stanley Kubrick who uses colors with a very special skill in the movie «Eyes Completely Closed».Such scientific and meaningful uses are not seen in any of the Middle East films, especially in Iran and Afghanistan. In many cases, it can be attributed to the low level of study and understanding of color and the scientific concepts of color in cinema by Afghan filmmakers.

The role of tetrahydrocurcumin in disease prevention and treatment.

In recent decades, natural compounds derived from herbal medicine or dietary sources have played important roles in prevention and treatment of various diseases and have attracted more and more attention. Curcumin, extracted from the Curcumae Longae Rhizoma and widely used as food spice and coloring agent, has been proven to possess high pharmacological value. However, the pharmacological application of curcumin is limited due to its poor systemic bioavailability. As a major active metabolite of curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) has higher bioavailability and stability than curcumin. Increasing evidence confirmed that THC had a wide range of biological activities and significant treatment effects on diseases. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress on the biological activities and therapeutic potential of THC on different diseases such as neurological disorders, metabolic syndromes, cancers, and inflammatory diseases. The extensive pharmacological effects of THC involve the modulation of various signaling transduction pathways including MAPK, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, Nrf2, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AMPK, Wnt/β-catenin. In addition, the pharmacokinetics, drug combination and toxicology of THC were discussed, thus providing scientific basis for the safe application of THC and the development of its dietary supplements and drugs.

Evaluation of the Microbiological and Physicochemical Properties of Selected Indigenous Food Spices Vended in Eke Awka Market, Anambra State Nigeria.

Evaluation of the Microbiological and Physicochemical Properties of Selected Indigenous Food Spices Vended in Eke Awka Market, Anambra State Nigeria.

Antimicrobial properties of some synthetic food spices commonly used in Nigeria

Antimicrobial properties of some synthetic food spices commonly used in Nigeria

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography based method for simultaneous determination of purines and their derivatives in food spices

This work presents method for separation and quantification of adenine, guanine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, uric acid, and creatinine in food spices using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with UV detection. Optimized conditions allowed separation with mobile phases containing acetonitrile and additives ammonium acetate (90:10, v/v, pH 6.1) or formate (90:10, v/v, pH 3.2). In food spices no uric acid was detected, creatinine (16 ± 2 μg g−1) was found only in instant dried yeast. The highest content of purines was determined in dried yeast (xanthine 110 ± 8 μg g−1, hypoxanthine 441 ± 24 μg g−1, adenine 84 ± 16 μg g−1, guanine 163 ± 12 μg g−1), high in curry, herbal pepper, and chicken seasoning, the lowest concentration was in black pepper (hypoxanthine 12 ± 2 μg g−1, adenine 27 ± 3 μg g−1). To best of our knowledge, no such complementary method and obtained data have been reported so far.

Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in widely used food spices in the Iraqi Kurdistan region and their associated radiological risks

Assessment of natural radioactivity levels in widely used food spices in the Iraqi Kurdistan region and their associated radiological risks

Characterization of Essential Oil Composition of Syzygium aromaticum Linn. (Clove) by GC-MS and Evaluation of its Antioxidant Activity

Background: Syzygium aromaticum Linn. (Clove, Family: Myrtaceae) is traditionally used as a spice and condiment; and medicinally used as a dental analgesic, carminative, and antiseptic. The Clove buds are widely used as a spice in Kurdish foods and are abundantly available in the local market; the quality of Clove available in the local market of Erbil has not been studied till now. Therefore, the aim of current research is to characterize essential oil composition by gas-chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and evaluate its antioxidant potential by the DPPH method. Results: The GC-MS analysis of Clove essential oil resulted identification of 37 chemical compounds which constitute about 99.49% of total essential oil. Clove essential oil was found rich in eugenol (59.87%), caryophyllene (23.58%), α-selinene (4.67%), α-terpinyl acetate (4.12%), and humulene (3.74%). The Clove essential oil was found potent antioxidant with a maximum inhibition of 90.94% and it was found comparable with standard antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid (92.94%), and gallic acid (87.80%) inhibition. Conclusion: The present study explores the essential oil composition of Clove found in the Kurdistan region and results also show its essential oil has potent antioxidant activity.

Combination of dimethylmethoxy chromanol and turmeric root extract synergically attenuates ultraviolet-induced oxidative damage by increasing endogenous antioxidants in HaCaT cells.

Repeated exposure to UV generates excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damages the enzymatic antioxidant defense system including quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in skin. Topical application of antioxidants may prevent the undesired damage of cellular proteins, lipids and DNA in skin. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol (DMC) is a bioinspired molecule, designed to be a structural analog to the γ-tocopherol that is naturally present in vegetables and plants. Turmeric root extract (TRE) is from a plant in South Asia extensively used as a food spice & vegetable, and its main components are turmerones. As both DMC and TRE are strong antioxidants with complementary antioxidation mechanisms, the aim of this study was to investigate the enhanced protective effects of their combination on oxidative damage in HaCaT cells following UVB exposure. The effects of single and combined administrations of DMC and TRE on the SOD activity of HaCaT cells were evaluated by the SOD assay and qPCR. The NQO1 expression in the UVB-treated HaCaT cells was analyzed by the Western Blot. Furthermore, a clinical test involving 24 subjects was conducted to evaluate the in vivo antioxidation efficacies of the serum formulated with the combination of DMC and TRE at the optimal weight ratio. SOD assay showed that pretreating DMC or TRE alone could not preserve the impaired HaCaT SOD activity after UVB treatment. DMC and TRE at 1:1 weight ratio was the optimal combination to enhance the HaCaT SOD activity by approximately more than 1-fold compared with either of the single treated groups. No enhancement effect was observed at other mixing ratios. The 1:1 weight ratio was further proved to be optimal as this combination boosted the NQO1 expression by more than 50%, whereas no boosting effect was observed at other mixing ratios. The clinical test of the serum containing this optimal antioxidant combination demonstrated promising in vivo antioxidation efficacies after 4-week use, including 7.16% improvement in skin lightening, 18.29% reduction in skin redness, 35.68% decrease in TEWL, 19.05% increase in skin gloss and 32.04% enhancement in skin firmness. Collectively, our results indicated that the combination of DMC and TRE at 1:1 weight ratio attenuated the UV-induced oxidative damage by synergistically boosting endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in HaCaT cells. Therefore, this optimal antioxidant combination is a promising treatment to boost skin antioxidation defense system.