Antioxidants from Galium verum as Ingredients for the Design of New Dermatocosmetic Products

Preliminary Studies about Valorization of Acmella oleracea Bioactive Content in Modern Dermato-Cosmetic Applications to Combat Skin Oxidative Stress

The development of products with skin-protective effects has been driven by the increasing incidence of skin diseases that are exacerbated by increasing pollution, urbanization, poor living, working, fatigue, dietary habits, and general treatment. The ability of antioxidants to protect the skin from oxidative stress and its effects makes them one of the most important ingredients in today's cosmetics. This article aims first to characterize the plant extracts obtained from Acmella oleracea (A. oleracea) and then to evaluate the preliminary criteria for a new marketed product: the stability, antioxidant activity, and in vitro behavior of certain serums based on A. oleracea plant extract and hyaluronic acid. The extracts were obtained by liquid-solid extraction methods (maceration (M), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UEA), and a combined method between these two (UEA + M) using an aqueous solution of ethyl alcohol as the extraction solvent. The determination of the amounts of compounds with antioxidant activity highlighted the fact that the extract obtained from the whole plant of A. oleracea using maceration in conditions of S/L = 1:30, 20 days, and an extraction solvent percentage of 50% led to obtaining the highest amount of polyphenols (30.42 μg GAE/g), while using the combined UAE + M method under conditions of S/L = 1:30, 6 min + 20 days, and 50% extraction solvent led to obtaining the highest amount of flavonoids (32.88 mg QE/g). The tests performed on dermato-cosmetic serums based on the plant extract and multimolecular hyaluronic acid (HA) (1 HA with HMW-1.0 mDa-1.6 mDa; HA with LMW-10 kDa-200 kDa; and HA OLIGO, MW < 10 kDa) led to the conclusion that they exhibit structural stability, good shear behavior revealing a satisfactory texture, and high physical stability during storage. These results encourage the transition to in-depth testing, both microbiological and dermatological, as a final step in the consideration of a new commercial product.

Hypotensive and Cardioprotective Potential of Yellow Bedstraw Extract-Based Oral Liquid in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

This study aimed to prepare, characterize and assess the antioxidant activity of yellow bedstraw extracts (YBEs), focusing on identifying extracts with high antioxidant capacity. The selected extract was loaded into an oral liquid formulation and further investigated for its therapeutic potential in reducing blood pressure and associated complications in spontaneously hypertensive Wistar kyoto rats (SHR). Rats were divided into untreated SHR and SHR treated with a YBE-based oral formulation over four weeks. After treatment, blood pressure was measured, and cardiac function was assessed using the Langendorff technique to simulate ex vivo ischemic conditions. Prooxidant levels were assessed in plasma while antioxidant activity was evaluated in red blood cells. Histological analyses of heart, kidney, and liver samples were conducted to assess pathological changes induced by hypertension. Our results showed that the oral formulation loaded with ethanol YBE effectively reduced blood pressure, preserved myocardial function under ischemic stress, and decreased oxidative stress markers in blood. Importantly, our formulation with YBE demonstrated potential in attenuating structural kidney damage associated with hypertension. Overall, these findings suggest a cardioprotective effect of orally administered YBE formulation, highlighting its potential as an herbal supplement. However, clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the extract's suitability for clinical use.

Recent Updates Regarding the Antiproliferative Activity of Galium verum Extracts on A375 Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Line

The biological activity of Galium verum herba was exerted on various tumor cell lines with incredible results, but their potential effect on malignant melanoma has not been established yet. Therefore, the current study was structured in two directions: (i) the investigation of the phytochemical profile of diethyl ether (GvDEE) and butanol (GvBuOH) extracts of G. verum L. and (ii) the evaluation of their biological profile on A375 human malignant melanoma cell line. The GvDEE extract showed an FT-IR profile different from the butanol one, with high antioxidant capacity (EC50 of GvDEE = 0.12 ± 0.03 mg/mL > EC50 of GvBuOH = 0.18 ± 0.05 mg/mL). The GvDEE extract also showed antimicrobial potential, especially against Gram-positive bacteria strains, compared to the butanol extract, which has no antimicrobial activity against any bacterial strain tested. The results regarding the antitumor potential showed that both extracts decreased A375 cell viability largely (69% at a dose of 55 µg/mL of the GvDEE extract). Moreover, both extracts induce nuclear fragmentation by forming apoptotic bodies and slight chromatin condensation, which is more intense for GvDEE. Considering the results, one can state that the Galium verum herba possesses antitumor effects on the A375 human malignant melanoma cell line, a promising phytocompound for the antitumor approach to skin cancer.

Phytochemical and Nutraceutical Screening of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Phases of Romanian Galium verum Herba (Rubiaceae)

Galium species are used worldwide for their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. Although this plant has demonstrated its antitumor properties on various types of cancer, its biological activity on cutaneous melanoma has not been established so far. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the phytochemical profile of two extracts of G. verum L. herba (ethanolic and ethyl acetate) as well as the biological profile (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor effects) on human skin cancer. The extracts showed similar FT-IR phenolic profiles (high chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, and rutin), with high antioxidant capacity (EC50 of ethyl acetate phase (0.074 ± 0.01 mg/mL) > ethanol phase (0.136 ± 0.03 mg/mL)). Both extracts showed antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus bacilli strains, the ethyl acetate phase being more active. Regarding the in vitro antitumor test, the results revealed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against A375 melanoma cell lines, more pronounced in the case of the ethyl acetate phase. In addition, the ethyl acetate phase stimulated the proliferation of human keratinocytes (HaCaT), while this effect was not evident in the case of the ethanolic phase at 24 h post-stimulation. Consequently, G. verum l. could be considered a promising phytocompound for the antitumor approach of cutaneous melanoma.

Lady's Bedstraw as a Powerful Antioxidant for Attenuation of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 14-day treatment with lady's bedstraw methanol extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through functional, biochemical and histological examinations. We used 24 male Wistar albino rats divided into the following groups: control (CTRL), doxorubicin (DOX), and DOX + GVE (Galium verum extract). GVE was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 14 days, while a single dose of doxorubicin was injected into the DOX groups. After accomplishing treatment with GVE, cardiac function was assessed, which determined the redox state. During the autoregulation protocol on the Langendorff apparatus, ex vivo cardiodynamic parameters were measured. Our results demonstrated that the consumption of GVE effectively suppressed the disturbed response of the heart to changes in perfusion pressures caused by administration of DOX. Intake of GVE was associated with a reduction in most of the measured prooxidants in comparison to the DOX group. Moreover, this extract was capable of increasing the activity of the antioxidant defense system. Morphometric analyses showed that rat hearts treated with DOX showed more pronounced degenerative changes and necrosis compared to the CTRL group. However, GVE pretreatment seems to be able to prevent the pathological injuries caused by DOX injection via decrease in oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Preliminary Approaches to Cosmeceuticals Emulsions Based on N-ProlylPalmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetat-Bakuchiol Complex Intended to Combat Skin Oxidative Stress

This study focuses on the development of a performant formulation for O/W dermato-cosmetic emulsions, which can be incorporated into novel dermato-cosmetic products or used as such. The O/W dermato-cosmetic emulsions contain an active complex based on a plant-derived monoterpene phenol, bakuchiol (BAK) and a signaling peptide named n-prolyl palmitoyl tripeptide-56 acetate (TPA). As a dispersed phase, we used a mix of vegetable oils, and as a continuous phase, Rosa damascena hydrosol was employed. Three emulsions containing different concentrations of the active complex were formulated (0.5% BAK + 0.5% TPA = E.1.1., 1% BAK + 1%TPA = E.1.2., 1% BAK + 2% TPA = E.1.3.). Stability testing was performed through sensory analysis, stability after centrifugation, conductivity and optical microscopy. A preliminary in vitro study regarding the diffusion ability of antioxidants through chicken skin was also undertaken. DPPH and ABTS assays were used to highlight the optimal concentration and combination in the formulation in terms of antioxidant properties and safety level of the active complex (BAK/TPA). Our results showed that the active complex used for preparing emulsions with BAK and TPA showed good antioxidant activity and is suitable for obtaining topical products with potential antiaging effects.

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Estonian Galium Species

The aim of the present study was to examine three different Galium species from the native population of Estonia, Galium verum, Galium aparine, and Galium mollugo, to characterise their non-volatile and volatile phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity. The main groups of bioactive compounds in the plants were quantified by colorimetric tests, showing high concentrations of polyphenols (up to 27.2 ± 1.5 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (up to 7.3 ± 0.5 mg QE/g) and iridoids (up to 40.8 ± 2.9 mg AE/g). The species were compared using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, revealing some key differences in the phytochemical makeup of the extracts. The most abundant compound in the extracts of Galium verum blossoms and herb was found to be asperuloside, in Galium aparine herb, asperulosidic acid, and in Galium mollugo herb, chlorogenic acid. Additionally, the composition of volatile compounds was analysed by SPME-GC-MS. The degree of variability between the samples was high, but three volatiles, hexanal, anethole, and β-caryophyllene, were quantified (≥1%) in all analysed samples. The antioxidative activity of all extracts was evaluated using the ORAC_FL method, demonstrating that the Galium species from Estonia all exhibit strong antioxidant capacity (up to 9.3 ± 1.2 mg TE/g). Out of the extracts studied, Galium verum blossoms contained the highest amounts of bioactives and had the strongest antioxidant capacity.