Enhancement of bioactive compound extraction from Rhus chinensis leaves using the polyol-based ultrasound-assisted method: Antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and pollution defense properties

What if your skincare could fight both wrinkles and air pollution? A green extraction method using ultrasound and plant-based solvents unlocks powerful antioxidants from sumac leaves.

Air pollution isn't just a lung problem—it's a skin problem. This study tackles it with an unlikely hero: Rhus chinensis leaves, a botanical source packed with bioactive compounds. Researchers optimized a polyol-based ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), a green technique that uses sound waves and eco-friendly solvents to pull out the good stuff.

Using a mixture design, they found the perfect solvent blend: 33.29% butylene glycol, 33.39% glycerin, and 33.31% water. This combo maximized total phenolic content (TPC). Then, a central composite design refined the process further, pinpointing 15 minutes of extraction and a 32.29:1 solvent-to-material ratio as the sweet spot for recovery.

The result? The extract outperformed traditional methods in antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP). It also showed promise in reducing melanin production and defending against pollution—thanks to compounds like myrsinone, verbasoside, and salicyl alcohol.

This isn't just lab bench science. It's a blueprint for natural, high-performance skincare that fights oxidative stress, lightens skin, and shields against environmental damage—all with a greener, cleaner extraction method.

Key Points

• Optimal solvent: 33.29% butylene glycol, 33.39% glycerin, 33.31% water
• Best conditions: 15 minutes, 32.29:1 solvent-to-material ratio
• Extract shows antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-pollution activity