Anti-oxidation and Anti-aging Effect of Mixed Extract from Korean Medicinal Herbs

Objectives : The present study was designed to investigate effects of mixed extract from korean medicinal herbs (MIX) on oxidation/reduction reaction-related and aging-related enzyme in vitro. Methods : We performed MTT assay, collagenase inhibition assay, elastase inhibition assay, tyrosinase inhibition assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, SOD-like activity and xanthine oxidase inhibition assay. Results : Recently, many studies have reported that elastin is also involved in inhibiting or repairing wrinkle formation, although collagen is a major factor in the skin wrinkle formation. The MIX showed 97% inhibition of collagenase activity, and 64% inhibition of elastase activity at 1 mg/ml concentration of MIX, next only to positive control, which indicate good efficacy for anti-wrinkle ingredient. Also it's treatment showed 34% inhibition of tyrosinase activity, to relate whitening effect, at the same dose of MIX. Antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical scavenging, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibiting activity and SOD-like activity. Also these scavenging, XO-inhibiting and SOD-like activities were measured in 91%, 80%, and 63% inhibition, respectively, at a treated dose of 1 mg/ml, compare to control. Conclusions : These results suggest that possibility of mixed korean medicinal herbs as a functional ingredient for anti-wrinkle and whitening, anti-oxidation and anti-aging cosmetic formula.