• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.782-788
• /
• 2016

To check the possibility of using natural extracts for cosmetic substances, we tested the bioactive effects of 11 crude extracts originating from native plants grown in the Republic of Korea on anti-oxidant and anti-wrinkle activities. When DPPH scavenging activities were measured, the crude extracts of Vitex rotundifolia, Scirpus triangulatus, S. wichurae, S. tabernaemontani, and Aeschynomene indica assays had more than 70% of DPPH scavenging activities at 100 μg/ml concentration. The data from the hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay revealed that the crude extracts from the 10 species, except for Eleocharis mamillata var. cyclocarpa, could scavenge more than 90% at 1,000 μg/ml concentration. The crude extract of V. rotundifolia had the highest xanthine oxidase scavenging activity at a 1,000 μg/ml concentration. Based on the four anti-oxidant assays, the crude extracts of V. rotundifolia, S. triangulatus, S. wichurae, S. tabernaemontani, and A. indica were shown to have excellent anti-oxidant capacities overall. In addition to the anti-oxidant capacities, the crude extract from S. wichurae exhibited high collagenase inhibitory activity, therefore, it could be a promising candidate for a cosmetic ingredient with anti-oxidant and anti-wrinkle qualities. The results of this study indicate that many wild plants native to the Korea Peninsula can be used as excellent natural substances for cosmetics based on their bioactive effects.