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Optimization of the extraction procedure was performed to enhance the antioxidant activity and whitening effect of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extract using response surface methodology (RSM). The central composite design, a component of RSM, was utilized to optimize and validate the ethanol extract for antioxidant activity and the hot water extract for the whitening effect, respectively. Activities of antioxidant and whitening were determined by DPPH and tyrosinase inhibition assays. The antioxidant activity was notably influenced by ethanol concentration (p = 0.0344) more than other factors. The optimal conditions for the antioxidant effect were 54% ethanol concentration, 52 °C, and 3 h extraction time, yielding an antioxidant activity of 83.65±1.56%. On the other hand, the whitening effect was significantly impacted by ultrasonic irradiation time (p = 0.0175) compared to other factors. The optimal conditions for whitening were 41 °C, 1:19 of sample-to-solvent ratio, and 8 min of ultrasonic irradiation, achieving a tyrosinase inhibition activity of 51.00±1.80%. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted to identify compounds such as tricin with antioxidant activity and p-coumaric acid, arbutin with whitening effect under the optimized conditions. The results suggest that the optimized extracts from S. quelpaertensis could be utilized as beneficial cosmeceutical materials.

The flowering plant Indigofera heterantha generally known as Indigo of Himalayan, was extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol by using Soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were studied for their antioxidants and enzyme inhibition activities. Against DPPH free radical-scavenging activity methanol extract was found moderately active (IC 50 : 158.41 ± 1.1.66 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts exhibited the best ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC 50 : 31.32 ± 2.50 and 52.0 ± 0.89 µg/mL respectively). Against the metal chelating activity, n-hexane extract was active IC 50 : 52.36 ± 0.95 µg/mL. The n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated the best β –carotene antioxidant activity (IC 50 : 22.32 ± 0.84 and 60.66 ± 0.35 μg/mL respectively). Against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were moderate active (IC 50 : 133.58 ± 0.870, and 137.97 ± 0.97 µg/mL respectively). The ethyl acetate extract showed Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity with IC 50 value of 121.9 ± 1.13 µg/mL. Against tyrosinase activity, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts activity with an IC 50 value of 79.25 ± 0.15 and 131.48 ± 0.88 µg/mL respectively. The phenolic contents of the methanolic extract of I. heterantha were also determined by using LC-MS/MS. The major constituents were Quinic acid (57,333.04 μg/g), malic acid (1135.16 μg/g), gallic acid (201.13 μg/g), isoquercitrin (113.63 μg/g), Rutin (92.97 μg/g), and Salicylic acid (40.45 μg/g). Keeping in view the overall biological activities of I. heterantha, it might be used in food industries and pharmaceuticals as a potential functional food ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]