Cosmeceutical Potentials of <i>Equisetum debile</i> Roxb. ex Vaucher Extracts

oleh: Phanit Thammarat, Jutamas Jiaranaikulwanitch, Rungsinee Phongpradist, Araya Raiwa, Hataichanok Pandith, Kasirawat Sawangrat, Sasithorn Sirilun

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-01-01

Deskripsi

Trends in skin and hair treatments focus on natural products due to undesired effects of chemically synthetic ingredients. This study aims to investigate the cosmeceutical effects of <i>Equisetum debile</i> (horsetail) extracts relating to anti-hyperpigmentation via tyrosinase, anti-wrinkle formation via matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and anti-androgenic alopecia via 5α-reductase. Ethanolic extracts were sequentially partitioned into semi-purified fractions hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and methanol insoluble residue. The ethyl acetate fraction possessed the highest total phenolic content (39.24 ± 0.72 mg gallic acid/g), the strongest anti-tyrosinase activities (583.33 ± 23.59 mg kojic acid/g), and potent collagenase inhibitions (IC<sub>50</sub> MMP-1 and MMP-2 of 0.82 ± 0.09 and 0.94 ± 0.11 mg/mL, respectively). All extracts showed considerable inhibitions of 5α-reductase ranging from 44.59 ± 0.40 to 83.07 ± 3.46% with the strongest activity from the dichloromethane fraction (1.48 ± 0.06 mg finasteride/g). In conclusion, <i>E. debile</i> extracts exhibit cosmeceutical potentials. This study suggests that the <i>E. debile</i> ethyl acetate fraction could be used as a promising ingredient to organically treat hyperpigmentation and delay the skin aging process. In addition, compared to the current recommended intake of finasteride (1 mg/day) for androgenic alopecia, the dichloromethane fraction is proposed as an alternative source to naturally remediate hair loss.