Multifunctional Biological Activities and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Bouea macrophylla for Cosmetic Applications

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the biological activities, cytotoxicity, phytochemical constituents and stability profile of Bouea macrophylla Griff. peel extracts for cosmeceutical applications. Extraction using maceration or fractionation was optimized using various solvents; ethyl acetate, ethanol, 50%v/v ethanol. The antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition and FRAP assays. Anti-tyrosinase activity was also performed for implying skin depigmentation effects. Total phenolics content, total flavonoids content and total anthocyanin content were also investigated. In addition, ex vivo cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the selected extract were studied. Moreover, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was used to analyze and quantify phytochemical components of the extract to study the stability profile. The results revealed that the highest percentage yield was shown in hydroethanolic extract (BPHE). Regarding phytochemical contents, BPHE contained 83.91 ± 0.00 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract, 12.98 ± 0.01 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g extract. Additionally, BPHE exhibited the strongest antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase properties along with good anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, BPHE had no cytotoxicity to human fibroblast cells. The HPLC results showed two major peaks in BPHE, i.e., gallic and ellagic acids. Accordingly, B. macrophylla peel extract could be a promising bioactive ingredient to develop further as anti-aging cosmetic and cosmeceutical products. Keywords: Bouea macrophylla Griff. peel extract, Antioxidant, Anti-tyrosinase, Anti-inflammatory, Cytotoxicity