We have prepared herbal extracts using ultrasonic extraction to develop new anti-aging ingredients containing Forsythiae fructus, Tribuli fructus, Solomon's seal, Siberian ginseng, Ponciri fructus, and Ginseng.
Six herbal medicines were selected from plants with various medical and skin effects.
Forsythiae fructus, the dried fruit of
Forsythia suspensa (family
Oleaceae), known as lianqiao in China, was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing, a prestigious monograph on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (
Dong et al., 2017). It has been used as a heat-clearing and detoxifying TCM for the treatment of infectious diseases, such as acute nephritis, erysipelas, and ulcers (
Wang et al., 2018). It is widely used in clinics as a single drug or compound prescription. Modern pharmacology has shown it to have a variety of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-diabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiandrogenic alopecia, anti-vomiting, anti-aging, and antiobesity activities and neuroprotective, hepato-protective, and vasorelaxant effects (
Dong et al., 2017). In addition, it has been reported that
Forsythiae fructus has skin whitening, anti-atopic dermatitis, and anti-aging effects. According to Taiwan's nationwide prescription database,
Forsythiae fructus has been included in the top 10 herbs most commonly used to treat atopic dermatitis (15.9%), urticaria (11.49-13.4%), and acne (22.3%) (
Dong et al., 2017).
Forsythiae fructus contains saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids and oleanolic acid which has a useful pharmacological action. Additionally, it contains arctigenin and matairesinol. As physiologically active skin ingredients, they are tyrosinase inhibitors that act on the melanin metabolism pathway induced by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and are attracting attention as cosmetic whitening materials (
Yang & Choe, 2011).
Tribuli fructus, which is the dried fruit of
Tribulus terrestris L, has been reported to have pharmacological activities of improving sexual function, preventing and treating cardiovascular disease, and improving neuroprotection and memory. It also has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects (
Chhatre et al., 2014).
Tribuli fructus extract contains large amounts of diosgenin, tigogein, various saponins, etc. These saponins are the most important bioactive components responsible for various biological effects such as the aphrodisiac effect, antihypertensive effect and protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury and the anticancer, antibacterial and antifungal activities (
Chhatre et al., 2014). Other ingredients include furostanol and spirostanol saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoid glycosides, alkaloids, and amides. In addition, it is effective against atopic dermatitis in rats and has anti-inflammatory effects (
Chhatre et al., 2014). It has been reported that the anti-aging effect of
Tribuli fructus extract increases the production of Type I pro-collagen and Elastin in HS68 cells, promotes the lipid accumulation of adipocytes, and ultimately improves skin wrinkles and elasticity (
Kim et al., 2016). Siberian ginseng (
Acanthopanax senticosus) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Oga along with ginseng and wild ginseng. Siberian ginseng has many similarities with ginseng and is used as an herbal medicine for stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Siberian ginseng extract has been used in oriental medicine for a long time, and pharmacological and physiological results have been reported in various studies until recently. Siberian ginseng components that have been identified so far include eleutherosides A, B, C, D, E, I, K, L, and M, and sesamin, chiisanoside, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, campesterol, vitamins, and minerals (
Park et al., 2010). It contains triterpenoid saponins, lignans, coumarins, and flavonoids, among which the phenolic compounds are considered to be the most active components (
Huang et al., 2011). There are many reports on the effectiveness of Siberian ginseng extract on the skin. Anti-wrinkle effect, antioxidant effect, collagen synthesis, and collagenase inhibitory activity against photoaging have been reported (
Park et al., 2010). It has been reported that Siberian ginseng extract regulates the synthesis of Type IV collagen, affecting the proliferative capacity of epidermal stem cells and thickening the epidermis (
Choi et al., 2016). Solomon's seal is a rhizome of
Polygonatum odoratum (synonym:
P.officinale) that has a tonic effect and is used to treat heart failure and diabetes in oriental medicine. Solomon's seal is anti-cycle and antitussive; it relieves heart tension, and is a diuretic, energizer, hypoglycemic, sedative, and tonic; it is used to treat lung diseases, including tuberculosis and gastrointestinal disorders (
Haroon et al., 2012). In addition, it is widely used in the treatment of blood disorders; it has beneficial effects on the kidney ducts and prevents gray hair, vision problems, vertigo, and ringworm. It is a nervine tonic and is used in diabetes treatment (
Haroon et al., 2012). Solomon's seal has a high phenol content and antioxidant activity. Homoisoflavanones from Solomon's seal inhibit the formation of advanced glycosylation end products. Solomon's seal has shown a strong intestinal immune system regulatory activity and the ability to induce osteoclast differentiation and lectin induced apoptosis. In the case of
P. odoratum leaf extract, the wound healing function is reported as an example (
Fathi et al., 2014).
Ponciri fructus immaturus is the unripe fruit of
Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque, belonging to the Rutaceae family (
Jung et al., 2016). Recently, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypersensitivity effects have been reported, and the effect of the extract of fat silt has been reported to induce the apoptosis of cancer cells (
Lee et al., 2008).
Ponciri fructus is known to be effective in treating atopic dermatitis. Through the skin application of
Ponciri fructus extract, its effects against atopic dermatitis, such as epidermal hyperkeratosis, dermal edema, and cytokines, have been reported. In particular, significant decreases have been reported in itching, number of mast cells, IgE production, and nerve growth factor expression.
Ponciri fructus extracts have shown an effective anti-inflammatory effect against atopic dermatitis and antipruritic efficacy by regulating immune mechanisms. In addition, oral administration of
Ponciri fructus extract is known to be helpful for the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases (
Hwang et al., 1997). Ginseng is a widely used traditional herbal medicine with multi-functional activities. Ginseng has been used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-aging activities (
Choi, 2008;
Kim & Ko, 2020). Many studies have been conducted on the efficacy of ginseng on the skin (
He et al., 2018). Among them, there are many reports on saponins and ginsenosides, which are representative ingredients of ginseng. Saponins are compounds found extensively in most plants and existing in various forms. Saponins can accelerate various biological activities such as hemolysis, and antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant functions. In addition, saponins have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and skin inflammation. Ginsenosides increase interleukin (I.L.)-1β, one of the inflammatory cytokines known to promote angiogenesis, and induce vascular endothelial growth factor and accumulation at skin burn sites in mice. Their effect of removing macrophages from skin wounds and promoting wound healing has also been reported (
Kim et al., 2011).
The objective of this study was to elucidate the skin anti-aging effect of a mixed herbal extract (MHE) in vitro and in vivo.