Standardized extract of Syzygium aqueum: a safe cosmetic ingredient

Chemical profiling and dermatological and anti-aging properties of Syzygium jambos L. (Alston): evidence from molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and in vitro experiments

The phytoconstituents of the aqueous extract from Syzygium jambos L. (Alston) leaves were defined using HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of the extract were in silico and in vitro investigated. The antioxidant activities were performed using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays as well as H2-DCFDA assay in HaCaT cells in which oxidative stress was induced by UVA radiation. Anti-aging activity was tested in vitro, using aging-related enzymes. The antibacterial, anti-biofilm and inhibitory effects on bacterial mobilities (swarming and swimming) were assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results showed that S. jambos aqueous extract contained 28 phytochemicals belonging to different metabolite classes, mainly phenolic acids, gallic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and ellagitannins. Mineral content analysis showed that S. jambos leaves contained moderate amounts of nitrogen, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and zinc, relatively low amounts of phosphorus and copper, and high concentration of calcium and iron. The extract displayed strong antioxidant activities in vitro and inhibited UVA-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. Docking the major compounds identified in the extract into the four main protein targets involved in skin aging revealed an appreciable inhibitory potential of these compounds against tyrosinase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and collagenase enzymes. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations were adopted to confirm the binding affinity of some selected compounds towards the target enzymes. The extract exhibited pronounced in vitro anti-aging effects, compared to kojic acid and quercetin (the reference compounds). It also inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, counteracted its ability to form biofilm, and impeded its swarming and swimming mobilities. Altogether, these findings strongly propose S. jambos leaves as a promising source of bioactive metabolites for the development of natural cosmeceutical and dermatological agents.

Topical caffeine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for enhanced treatment of cellulite: A 32 full factorial design optimization and in vivo evaluation in rats

The goal of this study was the development and evaluation of semisolid caffeine (CAF) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for topical treatment of cellulite. CAF-loaded NLC formulations were prepared via high-speed homogenization followed by ultrasonication. A 32 full factorial design was employed for formulation optimization. The total lipid content (%) and the liquid lipid content per total lipids (%) were chosen as factors, whereas particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (|ZP|) and viscosity (VIS) were selected as responses. The design suggested CAF-NLC3 as the optimum formulation consisting of a total lipid content of 15% w/w (palmitic acid and soft paraffin/isopropyl myristate, 7:3 w/w) and a surfactant content of 10% w/w (Tween 80/lecithin, 8:1.2 w/w). CAF-NLC3 revealed PS, PDI, ZP, VIS and CAF content values of 318.8 nm, 0.253, -41.1 mV, 18.0 Pa.s and 97.57%, respectively. It showed a pseudoplastic rheological behavior, acceptable pH value (5.25), good spreadability (1.12 mm2/g) and spherical shape employing transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction demonstrated the amorphization of CAF in CAF-NLC3. CAF-NLC3 remained stable for 3 months at room and refrigeration conditions. A single topical application of CAF-NLC3 on shaved abdominal skins of Wistar rats revealed enhanced skin retention of CAF by 2-fold and 1.4-fold after 4 h when compared with plain CAF gel (CAF-P) and marketed CAF gel (CAF-M), respectively. Furthermore, CAF-NLC3 exhibited a superior anti-cellulite activity in comparison with CAF-P and CAF-M through elevating extracellular matrix components (collagen 1, elastin and hyaluronic acid) and stimulating the brown adipose tissue thermogenesis via up-regulating UCP1 and PPAR-γ expression. In addition, CAF-NLC3 prominently increased lipolysis through HSL activity and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 after 30 days of treatment on a high fat diet-induced cellulite rat model. These findings were further confirmed by histopathological examination supported by morphometric analysis. Therefore, incorporation of CAF in a semisolid NLC formulation would be a promising cosmetic approach for the topical treatment of cellulite.

Watery Rose Apple: A Comprehensive Review of Its Traditional Uses, Nutritional Value, Phytochemistry, and Therapeutic Merits against Inflammation-Related Disorders

The myrtle family, Myrtaceae, constitutes over 5500 species, and Syzygium is considered the largest genus of the flowering plants within the family. The watery rose apple, Syzygium aqueum, is a traditional medicinal plant with various bioactive compounds distributed in all plant parts. These include phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and essential oils. S. aqueum extracts and their isolated compounds showed multiple beneficial biological effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, analgesic, antimalarial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. This review is aimed at discussing all the available information about the nutritional value, traditional uses, and therapeutic properties of the leaves, fruit, and stem bark of the plant, in addition to the distribution of phytoconstituents in its different parts as well as recommend future research directions on this species to promote its clinical uses.

Bioactive triterpenoids from Indonesian medicinal plant Syzygium aqueum

A large common species, Syzygium aqueum, belonging to the genus Syzygium possesses numerous bioactive phytochemical constituents. Moreover, the different parts of this species have been used as folk medicine since centuries ago. In this study, a phytochemical exploration was carried out on the plant’s stem bark. Isolation of the compounds was carried out through the extraction step with some organic solvents, followed by separation and purification using chromatography techniques until the two triterpenoids were isolated from nonpolar and semipolar extracts. Structure elucidation was done using spectroscopic methods. These compounds were identified as alphitolic acid and arjunolic acid. Subsequently, these two compounds were used in anticancer tests against human cancer cells HeLa, T47D, and A549 using colorimetric assay. The result showed that both compounds showed more inhibition of the growth of HeLa and T47D than A549 cancer cells, with the highest activity shown by arjunolic acid against HeLa cell lines.

Comparative Study of Phytochemical, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities and Phenolic Content of Syzygium aqueum (Burm. f. Alston f.) Extracts Growing in West Sumatera Indonesia

Syzygium aqueum, consisting of various fruit colors, is one of the plants that have been used as traditional medicine. This study aims to evaluate and compare phytochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities and total phenolic content of leaves and stem bark extracts of S. aqueum with pink and red fruits, in order to identify the best extract that can be used as a natural antioxidant. Phytochemical constituents were evaluated qualitatively using chemicals, while cytotoxic activities were identified using the brine shrimp lethality test. Total phenolic content was determined via the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Leaves and stem bark of S. aqueum contained flavonoids, phenolics, and triterpenoids, but the stem bark also contained saponins and alkaloids. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves and stem bark were categorized as very powerful antioxidants to DPPH (IC₅₀ 9.71–38.69 μg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide (IC₅₀ 16.44–44.02 μg/mL), while hexane extracts were inactive. Methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of leaves and stem bark were categorized as moderately cytotoxic to A. salina larvae (LC₅₀ 104.04–440.65 μg/mL). Comparing leaves and stem barks, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of stem bark extracts were higher than those of leaves extracts. Total phenolic content of leaves extracts was higher than that of stem bark extracts where the order of total phenolic content progressed from methanol extracts > ethyl acetate extracts > hexane extracts. Therefore, the stem bark of S. aqueum was identified as the better source of natural antioxidant compared with the leaves.

In vivo toxicity evaluation of a standardized extract of Syzygium aqueum leaf

In this study, the acute and subchronic toxicity effect of the Syzygium aqueum leaf extract (SA) was evaluated. For the acute toxicity study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of the SA was given by oral-gavage to male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were observed for mortality and toxicity signs for 14 days. In the subchronic toxicity study the SA was administered orally at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg per day for 28 days to male SD rats. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The parameters measured including food and water intake, body weight, absolute and relative organ weight, blood biochemical tests and histopathology observation. In both the acute and subchronic toxicity studies, SA did not show any visible signs of toxicity. There were also no significant differences between the control and SA treated rats in terms of their food and water intake, body weight, absolute and relative organ weight, biochemical parameters or gross and microscopic appearance of the organs. There were no acute or subchronic toxicity observed and our results indicate that this extract could be devoid of any toxic risk. This is the first in vivo study reported the safety and toxicity of SA.

Effect of cosmetic ingredients as anticellulite agents: synergistic action of actives with in vitro and in vivo efficacy

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiology of cellulite involves changes in the subcutaneous adipose layer and the extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports it together with overlying dermal layer. Cellular mechanisms governing cellulite are not fully understood. However, it is accepted that changes include enhanced lipogenesis, decreased lipolysis, and increased lipid storage within the adipocytes as well as changes in the dermal architecture.

AIM

In our studies the ability of cosmetic agents Furcellaria lumbricalis, Fucus vesiculosus, retinoid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and a glaucine mixture to stimulate in vitro 1) lipolysis in human adipocytes and 2) production of pro-collagen I by fibroblasts was investigated in vitro. The ability of these ingredients to improve cellulite condition in vivo was also determined.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Mature adipocytes and 'aged' fibroblasts were used for in vitro studies. The assessment of cellulite in vivo was performed by dermatological grading and ultrasound measurements.

RESULTS

Mature adipocytes treated with combined actives resulted in a significant synergistic increase in free glycerol release. On "aged" fibroblasts, combined treatment of F. vesiculosus and F. lumbricalis stimulated pro-collagen I production. CLA increased pro-collagen I production, but the glaucine mixture had no effect. The clinical study demonstrated a significant improvement in cellulite grading by a dermatologist after 8 and 12 weeks vs. vehicle, and ultrasound imaging showed a significant decrease in fat thickness compared with placebo after 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies revealed a potent cocktail of ingredients that when combined together can act in vitro to markedly improve lipolysis mechanisms and by way of stimulating pro-collagen I can also have an effect on the surrounding extracellular matrix. The in vitro actions of the ingredients were translated in vivo, where a clinical improvement of cellulite condition was observed.