article · Cosmetics
Laboratory testing of methanolic extracts from four Moroccan plants, namely Halimium antiatlanticum, Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, Pistacia lentiscus, and Leonotis nepetifolia, demonstrates significant antioxidant and skin-protecting properties. Chemical screening of their leaves and aerial parts confirmed the presence of tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, carotenoids, terpenoids, and saponins. Pistacia lentiscus and Halimium antiatlanticum contained the highest levels of total phenolics and displayed the strongest antioxidant performance across multiple laboratory assays. Furthermore, these two species demonstrated potent collagenase enzyme inhibition at a concentration of 200 micrograms per millilitre. In parallel tests evaluating elastase inhibition, Adenocarpus artemisiifolius produced the highest inhibitory activity among the four species. The findings highlight the biological actions relevant to skin health in these botanical extracts, particularly highlighting the dermocosmetic qualities of the endemic species Halimium antiatlanticum and Adenocarpus artemisiifolius.
Enzymes such as collagenase and elastase break down structural proteins in the skin, contributing to skin ageing. Identifying botanical sources that naturally inhibit these enzymes and provide antioxidant protection offers scientific validation for traditional plant uses. It also supports the discovery of natural, plant-derived ingredients that could replace synthetic alternatives in personal care formulations.
This research is at an early laboratory stage, having confirmed bioactivity through in vitro chemical and enzymatic assays. The findings indicate potential utility for cosmetic and skincare manufacturers seeking active plant-based ingredients for anti-ageing or protective dermocosmetic formulations. Further formulation development, safety profiling, and clinical testing would be required before these botanical extracts could be incorporated into commercial personal care products.
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In this study, four Moroccan plants, Halimium antiatlanticum, Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, Pistacia lentiscus and Leonotis nepetifolia, were evaluated for their phytoconstituents and biological activities. Methanolic extracts of these plants were obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, phytochemical screening was performed, and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. Then, the antioxidant and dermocosmetic activities of the methanolic extracts were evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the leaves and/or aerial parts contained tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, carotenoids, terpenoids and saponins. The higher total phenolic content values were recorded on Pistacia lentiscus and Halimium antiatlanticum with 396.64 ± 30.79 and 304.96 ± 55.61 mgGAE/gDW, respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, and showed that Pistacia lentiscus and Halimium antiatlanticum were the most active extracts, with, respectively, IC50 values of 3.705 ± 0.445 and 5.037 ± 0.122 µg/mL for DPPH. The same results were observed for the FRAP and ABTS assays. Those extracts also showed a strong collagenase inhibitory activity at 200 µg/mL, with 78.51 ± 2.27% for Pistacia lentiscus and 73.10 ± 8.52% for Halimium antiatlanticum. Adenocarpus artemisiifolius showed the highest elastase inhibition rate, with 76.30 ± 5.29%. This study disclosed the dermocosmetic potential of Halimium antiatlanticum and Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, two Moroccan endemic plants that can be traditionally used by local populations or exploited by the cosmetic industry.
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DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics9050094
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