This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidative activities of Camellia japonica extracts for cosmetic applications. Antimicrobial effects of C. japonica were determined against Bacillus cereus by methanol extract of new leaf, stem and stem-leaf; Malassezia pachydermatis, by methanol extract of new leaf and stemleaf. A methanol extract of new leaf of C. japonica showed strong antimicrobial effect using paper disc method against most species especially in Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidative activities of C. japonica seed oils were determined by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The value of EC 50 of DPPH scavenging activity was 500 mg/mL and that of ABTS scavenging activity was 96.10 mg/mL. C. japonica oil extracts showed lower antioxidative activities than those of gallic acid and α-tocopherol. Electron microscopic observation of damaged virgin hairs of different ages gave a stabilizing effects after C. japonica seed oil treatment. These results indicated that the extracts of stem, leaf and seed of C. japonica could be used as cosmetic ingredient combined with appropriate formula.
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