Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection Method for the Separation and Quantification of Antioxidant and Skin Anti-Aging Flavonoids from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Stamen Extract

The sacred lotus has been revered for centuries, but its most precious secret might be hidden in its stamens—the part we've been ignoring.

The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has long been a staple in teas, traditional medicines, and foods. Yet, while its leaves and seeds have been thoroughly studied, its stamens—the very ingredient prized in herbal remedies—have been largely overlooked. This study changes that. Researchers developed a validated method using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection to separate and quantify flavonoids from stamen extracts, and they didn't stop there. They also tested the extract's antioxidant power and its ability to inhibit skin-aging enzymes. The results are striking: the stamen extract contains higher concentrations of antioxidant flavonoids than other floral parts, and it shows the strongest protective effect against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as confirmed by a yeast-based cellular assay. Moreover, the extract outperformed the whole flower in inhibiting tyrosinase and collagenase—two key enzymes in skin aging. This is the first report to propose the stamen extract as a potential cosmetic ingredient for fighting skin aging, and it introduces a robust analytical method to support future research. The sacred lotus's stamens may just be the next big thing in skincare.

Key Points

• Validated HPLC-PDA method for flavonoids in lotus stamens.
• Stamen extract shows higher antioxidant activity than other floral parts.
• First report of stamen extract inhibiting tyrosinase and collagenase.