Preparation of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Extracts Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents with Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Cosmetic Applications

What if the secret to youthful skin is hidden in a humble herbal tea? Scientists have found a way to unlock the antioxidant power of Gynostemma pentaphyllum using eco-friendly solvents and sound waves.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a medicinal herbal tea, is packed with antioxidants. To harness its power for cosmetics, researchers turned to Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) — a green, efficient alternative to traditional solvents. Using ultrasound-assisted extraction, they isolated phytochemicals from the plant and measured their biological activities.

The extracts showed impressive levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, with total phenolic content up to 6.93 mg GAE/g extract and total flavonoid content up to 8.17 mg QE/g extract. They also demonstrated strong free radical scavenging and inhibited lipid peroxidation, with IC50 values ranging from 6.04 to 38.63 mg/mL. Notably, the extracts blocked collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen, at an IC50 of 0.92 mg/mL — good news for anti-aging skincare.

Among the extracts, S7 stood out for its high bioactivity and low toxicity to cells. It contained significant amounts of rutin and kaempferol, two powerful antioxidants. When incorporated into cosmetic formulations, S7 maintained excellent stability, suggesting it could be a promising ingredient for future skincare products.

Key Points

• NADES and ultrasound yielded extracts rich in phenolics and flavonoids.
• Extracts inhibited collagenase, key for anti-aging cosmetics.
• Selected extract S7 showed high bioactivity and formulation stability.