The potential of Macaranga plants as skincare cosmetic ingredients: A review

Abstract

The application of bioactive ingredients extracted from plants utilized as additives in various cosmetic products has gained popularity, since they are safe, with low adverse effects when applied properly, and are environmentally friendly. Moreover, the awareness of healthier cosmetic products has rapidly increased so that the exploration of screened plants with appropriate properties has attracted significant attention worldwide. This review discusses the potential of one of the fastest-growing tropical plants, Macaranga, applied in skincare cosmetics. Their interesting characteristics, such as being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial, and their tyrosinase inhibitory effect have been comprehensively summarized. Various scientific literature works have further proven ethnopharmacological studies that explore the traditional use of Macaranga species by local people in the tropics for medicinal and skincare purposes. Therefore, we believe this will allow Macaranga to become a promising material in the future for largescale industrial skincare cosmetics.

Medicinal Plants for Dermatological Diseases: Ethnopharmacological Significance of Botanicals from West Africa in Skin Care

“…The human body's largest and most vulnerable organ is the skin. It serves as a barrier and shield between the internal organs and direct microbial contamination and ultraviolet radiation [1]. It contains three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous.…”

“…Many people in West Africa rely on traditional medicine/medicinal plants due to their accessibility and believe they are more potent and efficient in curing disease than conventional medicines or healthcare, which is inadequate in the region [13,14]. Also, many skin diseases tend to be so persistent and recurring that patients resort to many remedies, including herbal ones [1]. Therefore, quite a number of studies have aimed at documenting plants used to treat skin diseases in different West African countries.…”

“…Moreover, to validate the traditional uses of some of the documented plants, some other studies have tested the extracts from the plants for pharmacological activities related to skin diseases, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, to prove their efficacy. For example, Rosamah et al [1] investigated the pharmacological significance of Macaranga in dermatological diseases; Udegbunam et al [18] confirmed the therapeutic activity of Crinum jagus in wound healing; and Anacardium occidentale extracts were tested on pathogenic microbes to verify its usefulness in skin care cosmetics by Gonçalves and Gobbo [19]. There are also many similar studies, but this information is scattered in the literature, which may account for the fact that none of the many cosmetic plants recognized by the European Pharmacopoeia are of West African origin [20].…”