This study was conducted to examine the chemical constituents of Origanum majorana L. essential oils (EOs) that originate in Nepal, as well as their biological activities, antioxidant properties, and enantiomeric compositions. The EOs were extracted by the hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger-type apparatus and their chemical compositions were determined through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Chiral GC-MS was used to evaluate the enantiomeric compositions of EOs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the essential oils were determined by the micro-broth dilution method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 50 and 41 compounds in the EO samples, (S1) and (S2), respectively, representing the Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts. The oxygenated monoterpenoids, along with terpinen-4-ol, were predominant constituents in both EO samples. However, the EOs from two locations showed some variations in their major components. The chiral terpenoids for two EO samples of marjoram have also been reported in this study in an elaborative way for the first time in accordance with the literature review. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the compositions of EOs with 50 compositions reported in the literature revealed at least 5 different chemotypes of marjoram oil. The antioxidant activity for the sample (S2) was found to be relatively moderate, with an IC50 value of 225.61 ± 0.05 μg/mL and an EC50 value of 372.72 ± 0.84 µg/mL, as compared to the standard used. Furthermore, with an MIC value of 78.1 µg/mL, the EO from sample (S2) demonstrated effective antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Moreover, both samples displayed considerable antimicrobial activity. The results suggest that EOs of Origanum majorana possess some noteworthy antimicrobial properties as well as antioxidant activity, and hence can be used as a natural preservative ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Alcoholic extracts of medicinal plants Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Glycyrrhiza glabra L, and Azadirachta indica A. Juss were subjected to the evaluation of antioxidant properties and combined for the cream formulation. The antioxidant property was determined by using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and inhibition of lipid peroxidase assays. The cream formulation was designed using Minitab software and a central composite design was used to study the effect of dependent variables, steric acid and cetyl alcohol on the response variables such as, viscosity, pH, and spreadability. The phytochemical screening of extracts showed the presence of tannin, phenol, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. Antioxidant properties of the extracts and their relative composition were found variable. Composition F3 (C. zeylanicum Blume: G. glabra L: A. indica A. Juss; 01: 02: 01) possessed the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other ratios. The cream prepared from this composition was found stable for pH, viscosity as well as antioxidant activity under normal condition (25) and accelerated condition (40 ). The cream with DPPH scavenging activity of 93.86 % at 15 µg/mL (IC50 8.58±0.30) and lipid peroxidase assay 90.93 % at 200 µg/mL (IC50 72.30±0.60) with pH 5.50 was found with a non-Newtonian positive thixotropic flow property. Parameters like pH, viscosity, and spreadability of the cream were within the acceptance range, and found stable and permeable

Introduction: Antioxidant and α-Amylase inhibitory activity of methanolic extract of Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand leaves were evaluated. Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay. The extract was fractionated in Silica gel loaded column chromatography (CC). All fractions were evaluated for their purity by TLC. Out of 11 fractions from CC, one fraction was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract was found satisfactory (IC50268.80 µg/ml) as compared with ascorbic acid (141.82 µg/ml). TLC of a fractions showed a compound at Rf value at 0.45 in toluene: chloroform: methanol with mobile phase ratio 7:2:1 respectively. Conclusions: Total 17 compounds were identified by GC-MS of ethyl acetate fraction and 5-hydroxyl methyl furfural was major furan compound (59.49%). α-Amylase inhibitory activity of the same fraction showed IC50 value of 0.94 mg/ ml. The Nepalese originated C. gigentea (L.) Dryand possesses antioxidant and α-Amylase inhibitory property.

There are an increasing number of studies on the cosmeceutical properties of medicinal plants growing in various climatic zones. The formulation of phenolic rich plant extracts into cosmetic cream products can maximize the commercial value of such products. Most of the herbs used in Nepal for cosmetic purposes are locally available Ayurvedic herbs. The antioxidant property of the ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera L. leaves collected from Rupandehi and Makawanpur districts respectively were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. Total phenolic and total tannin content was determined by Foline Ciocalteu reagent. Total phenolic content was found from 35.51 and 42.89 mg/100 g gallic acid in the Makawanpur and Rupandehi districts. Overall, findings revealed that there were slight differences in antioxidant properties between the two samples. The cream formulated from the Makawanpur plant sample had considerable physiochemical parameters within the range of acceptance. These findings provide strong evidence for further development of commercial creams with antioxidant properties

Introduction: The beauty product preparation from natural ingredients reaches is historical. People of rural area where the practice of modern cosmetic products are not accessible, they mostly use and depend upon the locally available ingredients in their own formulations. The inclusion of extracts in topical formulations can minimize the skin damage of oxidative stress, which has been associated with delaying the aging process. Therapeutic benefits by addition of plant-based active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acid, retinoic acid, ferulic acid, ascorbic acid, and coenzyme Q10 are common. Natural preservatives are also in priority but it is equally important to carry research for their efficacy and assurance. Methods: An independent approach was used to conduct the literature review. Major well-known bibliometric information sources studied are the Web of Science, Scopus, Mendeley and Google Scholar. Several keywords like name of plants, skin whitening, anti-acne, herbal cosmetics, Ayurvedic herbs, skin cancer, moisturizer etc were chosen to obtain a large range of papers to be analyzed. Local news papers, research reports and official websites were also studied. Results: The results obtained from this review showed that, there are numerous herbs which are effective and safe for cosmetic purpose. Herbal based cosmetic factories are started in Nepal but their research part not much strong and found frequently lead by non-pharmacist or non-chemist human resources. Herbs are rich in vitamins, phenolics and carotenoids which have mainly anti-aging, revitalizing and rejuvenating properties. Herbs have vitamins, saponins and flavanoids which supply various nutrients to hair and help to darkening of hair. Different literatures available prove that the heavy metals are also mixed in large quantity in cosmetics found in Nepalese market. There is an immediate need to execute strong guidelines regarding the quality of cosmetic products in Nepal. Conclusions: The current review on herbal cosmetics focuses on the natural sources of cosmetics, their medicinal benefits, mechanism of action, key chemical constituents and their advantages along with safety.