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DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1596554
Alpine plants with anti-ageing effects
Publication History
Publication Date:
14 December 2016 (online)
Alpine plants represent a valuable source for the identification of novel bioactive natural products with anti-ageing effects. Due to the harsh conditions present in higher altitudes, they accumulate certain secondary metabolites in larger quantities [1], especially substances that protect plants against UV radiation [2], which is known to contribute to the ageing of human skin [3, 4]. Therefore, Alpine plants provide enormous potential for the development of new cosmeceuticals, i.e., cosmetics with proven pharmacological effects.
Within this project, 150 plant species, mainly from the Alpine region, are selected, collected, and extracted successively with EtOAc and MeOH. Extracts are investigated for their ability (i) to inhibit NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in HEK 293 cells, (ii) to activate proteasome in HEK 293 cells, and (iii) to inhibit tyrosinase in a TLC autographic assay. Moreover, their phytochemical profile is being analysed using TLC and HPLC-MS. So far, out of the 50% of the plants, which were already tested on NOX4 inhibition, Alnus viridis (leaf MeOH extract), Aruncus dioicus (lower parts MeOH and EtOAc extracts), and Berberis ilicifolia (stem and leaf MeOH extracts) were identified as promising plants with significant inhibitory activity on NOX4 at a concentration of 25 µg/mL, showing 80, 94, and 94% luminescence quenching, respectively. Cell viability measurements revealed that these extracts are not cytotoxic in the tested concentration. While the tests on proteasome activation are still ongoing, all plant extracts were already tested on tyrosinase inhibition in a bioautographic assay. Therein, 14% showed a good inhibitory activity. Further studies will address the identification of the bioactive constituents and the determination of their molecular mode of action. The final goal of this project is the identification and generation of plant extracts with anti-ageing activity in vitro and in vivo, which can be used for the development of cosmeceuticals.
Acknowledgements: Supported by the Austrian Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG), (BRIDGE 1 project 848474).
Keywords: Alpine plants, cosmeceuticals, anti-ageing, NOX4, proteasome, tyrosinase.
References:
[1] Zidorn C. Altitudinal variation of secondary metabolites in flowering heads of the Asteraceae: trends and causes. Phytochem Rev 2010; 9: 197 – 203
[2] Debacq-Chainiaux F, Leduc C, Verbeke A, Toussaint O. UV, stress and aging. Dermatoendocrinol 2012; 4: 236 – 240
[3] Yaar M, Gilchrest BA. Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy. Br J Dermatol 2007; 157: 874 – 887
[4] Turunen M, Latola K. UV-B radiation and acclimation in timberline plants. Environ Pollut 2005; 137: 390 – 403