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Airborne particulate matter (PM) contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as primary toxic components, causing oxidative damage and being associated with various inflammatory skin pathologies such as premature aging, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Coffee cherry pulp (CCS) extract, rich in chlorogenic acid, caffeine, and theophylline, has demonstrated strong antioxidant properties. However, its specific anti-inflammatory effects and ability to protect macrophages against PAH-induced inflammation remain unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of CCS extract on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells exposed to atmospheric PAHs, compared to chlorogenic acid (CGA), caffeine (CAF), and theophylline (THP) standards. The CCS extract was assessed for its impact on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results showed that CCS extract exhibited significant antioxidant activities and effectively inhibited protease and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities. The PAH induced the increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species, NO, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2, which were markedly suppressed by CCS extract in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to the effects of chlorogenic acid, caffeine, and theophylline. In conclusion, CCS extract inhibits PAH-induced inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in RAW 264.7 cells. This effect is likely due to the synergistic effects of its bioactive compounds. Chlorogenic acid showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, while caffeine and theophylline enhanced anti-inflammatory activity. CCS extract did not irritate the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane. Therefore, CCS extract shows its potential as a promising cosmeceutical ingredient for safely alleviating inflammatory skin diseases caused by air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuscuta chinensis (C. chinensis) presents many pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic effects, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. However, the wound care properties of this plant have not yet been reported. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of ethanol and ethyl acetate C. chinensis extracts. The phytochemical markers in the extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Then, the selected C. chinensis extract was developed into a nanoemulsion-based gel for wound care testing in rats. The results showed that both of the C. chinensis extracts exhibited antioxidant activity when tested using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. They reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The ethyl acetate extract also had antibacterial properties. Kaempferol was found in both extracts, whereas hyperoside was found only in the ethanol extract. These compounds were found to be related to the biological activities of the extracts, confirmed via molecular docking. The C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsions had a small particle size, a narrow polydispersity index (PDI), and good stability. Furthermore, the C. chinensis extract-loaded nanoemulsion-based gel had a positive effect on wound healing, presenting a better percentage wound contraction Fucidin cream. In conclusion, this formulation has the potential for use as an alternative wound treatment and warrants further study in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of active contents, free radical scavenging, and tyrosinase inhibition activity of Cassia fistula extracts for skincare development is presented in this study. C. fistula was extracted by 95 % ethanol. The extracts were then determined for total phenolic content, phytochemical constituents, free radical scavenging, and tyrosinase inhibition activity. The formulation containing the selected C. fistula extract was prepared and examined for this formulation's bioactivities and stability. C. fistula extract from the bark provided the highest total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activity of 22.35±1.38 mgGAE/g and the IC50 value of 7.90±0.10 μg/mL, respectively. C. fistula extract from the bark was observed having tyrosinase inhibition activity at the IC50 value of 1.71×10³±0.01 μg/mL and selected to be an active ingredient in oil in water emulsion. At 4±2 °C storage, the formulation containing C. fistula extract from bark showed the highest stability without changing the color, odor, homogeneity, while pH and viscosity were slightly changed. The formulation's bioactivities containing C. fistula extract from bark were slightly decreased in all temperatures at the end of the stability test. In this study, C. fistula extract from the bark can potentially inhibit tyrosinase in a free radical scavenging activity. Therefore, it may be an appropriate choice for skincare products that aim to provide whitening effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]