Aim: Methodology:Results: Interpretation:The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant, anti-melanogenic and anti-wrinkle activity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (G. uralensis) for cosmeceutical application.The free radical scavenging activity of 1,3-butylene glycol (1,3-BG) extract of G. uralensis was analyzed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. The anti-melanogenesis and anti-wrinkle effects of G. uralensis extract were also analyzed by tyrosinase, zymography and collagen assays.The EC of 1,3-BG extract of G. uralensis, determined by DPPH and ABTS assays, was 0.59% 50 and 1.17%, respectively.The ORAC value of the extract was 41.56 μM trolox equivalent. The G. uralensis extract inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity with an IC of 0.6%, and it also reduced melanin 50 contents in mouse melanoma cells. In addition, the G. uralensis extract notably inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity via zymography. Approximately, 60% collagen production enhancement was observed upon treatment with the extract, suggesting its anti-wrinkle potential.The 1,3-BG extract of G. uralensis may be utilized as a cosmeceutical ingredient, offering anti-oxidant, brightening and anti-wrinkle effects.

Aim: This study aims at investigating the effect of ethanol extract of Cudrania tricuspidata twigs on in vitro and in vivo allergic inflammation. Methodology: The ethanol extract of twigs from Cudrania tricuspidata (CTE) was prepared. The effects of CTE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264.7 cells were examined. 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced allergic inflammation model of mouse was constructed for in vivo study. The anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of CTE were examined through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Results: The LPS-induced NO level was significantly reduced by Cudrania tricuspidata application in Raw 264.7 cells. LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was also reduced by CTE, showing CTE’s anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, CTE reduced DNCB-induced IgE level in the mouse serum. The suppressive effect on the allergic inflammation stimulated by DNCB in the mouse model was investigated in terms of IL-4, IFN-γ, TNF-α level and PAR-2 expression. Interpretation: The ethanol extract of Cudrania tricuspidata twigs can be developed as a potent therapeutics for allergic inflammation.