The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of Nelumbo nucifera G. leaf (NNL) extract as a cosmetic additive. The electron-donating ability of the NNL extract at a concentration of 1,000 μg/ml was 67.83%. In xanthine oxidase, the inhibition effect of the NNL extract was 92.7% at the same concentration. For whitening effects, tyrosinase inhibition effect of NNL extract was 42.7% at a 1,000 μg/ml concentration. The cell toxicity of the NNL extract was examined in melanoma cells (B16F10) using a 3-[4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. The cell toxicity assay revealed that the NNL extract had a toxicity of 81.61% at a concentration of 1,000 µg/ml The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase protein expression inhibitory effect by Western blot of NNL extract were measured by a Western blot at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml. At a 100 μg/ml concentration of the NNL extract, the expression of the MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase protein was decreased by 69.59%, 27.74%, 67.33%, and 67.78% respectively. The MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 and tyrosinase mRNA expression inhibitory effect were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml. GAPDH was used as a positive control. At a concentration of 100 μg/ml of the NNL extract, the expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase mRNA was decreased by 67.51%, 71.36%, 85.74%, and 83.64%, respectively. These findings suggest that the NNL extract has antioxidant and whitening effects and that it has great potential as a cosmetic ingredient.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activities and cell viability of Amelanchier asiatica (A. asiatica) 70% ethanol extracts against RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell toxicity test on macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) was performed by 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and results showed 96% cell viability at 1,000 µg/mL concentration. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined via the inhibitory tests on the production of LPS induced NO in RAW 264.7 cells by Griess assay. The result showed that the extract inhibited NO production in concentration dependent manner. The iNOS and COX-2 protein expression inhibitory effects were confirmed by western blot and by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). From the former they were decreased by 84.3%, 56.2% at 500 µg/mL concentration, respectively, and from the latter decreased by 89.8%, 84.9% at 500 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed the anti-inflammatory effects of A. asiatica extracts. Thus, this could be applied to an anti-inflammatory agent.

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Purpose: We conducted a study that examined the physicochemical properties of <i>Eriobotrya japonica</i> leaf enzyme-assisted extract (EJLE) from Jeju Island.Methods: EJLE was prepared using the pepsin enzyme. The antioxidant and antiaging effects of EJLE were investigated to determine its utility as a functional material.Results: In the analysis of total amino acids, 16 kinds of components were isolated from EJLE. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of EJLE were found to be 97.19±0.24% and 96.91±0.02% respectively in 500 μg/mL. Inhibition activities of elastase by EJLE were confirmed. In fibroblasts, EJLE at 500 μg/mL demonstrated a procollagen synthesis activity of approximately 52%.Conclusion: Our results confirmed that EJLE induced antioxidants in cosmetic materials and increased procollagen synthesis on the skin.