Green Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Solanum nigrum L Fruit Using Ultrasound-Assisted Technology: Antioxidant Properties and Proliferative Effects on NIH-3T3 Fibroblasts

What if the key to youthful skin lies in a humble fruit from Indonesia? A new study shows that an ultrasound-assisted extract from Solanum nigrum L fruit can boost fibroblast activity—the very cells that keep skin firm and resilient.

Skin aging is not just about wrinkles—it's a cellular story. Fibroblasts in the dermis, the architects of the extracellular matrix, gradually lose their function, leading to structural damage and slower regeneration. This study turns to nature for a solution: Solanum nigrum L fruit, harvested from Majenang, Central Java, and processed with a green, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique.

Researchers tested different solvents and extraction times to see which combo maximized bioactive compounds. The winning recipe? 96% ethanol for 30 minutes. This yielded a total phenolic content of 61.18 mg GAE/g and flavonoids at 73.99 mg Rutin/g. The extract also showed strong antioxidant activity, with an IC50 of 87.164 ppm, and—most excitingly—stimulated proliferation of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts with an EC50 of just 12.48 ppm.

These results aren't just numbers; they're a promise. The extract's ability to encourage fibroblast growth suggests it could support skin regeneration and combat aging. The study concludes that Solanum nigrum L fruit is a promising candidate for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products aimed at cellular renewal.

With its green extraction method and potent bioactivity, this unassuming fruit might just be the next big thing in anti-aging science.

Key Points

• UAE with 96% ethanol for 30 min yields optimal bioactives.
• Extract shows antioxidant activity (IC50 87.164 ppm).
• Stimulates NIH-3T3 fibroblast proliferation (EC50 12.48 ppm).