Anti-Aging Effectiveness of Red Spinach Extract Ointment (Amaranthus Tricolor L.) Against Collagen, Elasticity, Hydration, Sebum, and Pigment Levels in Wistar Rats

Skin aging is a complex natural phenomenon characterized by a progressive loss of structural integrity and physiological function of the skin. These changes manifest as visible wrinkling and loss of elasticity in the skin. This study aims to assess the anti-aging effectiveness of red spinach extract on increasing levels of collagen, elasticity, hydration, sebum, and pigment in male rats. A total of 25 rats were divided into 5 groups, each of which consisted of 5 white rats; control group (ointment base), red spinach extract ointment group 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. The results of phytochemical examination showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides, with the total content of phenols, tannins, and flavonoids from the methanol extract of spinach leaves, respectively 20.22 GAE mg / gram extract, 0.09 QE mg / gram extract, and 20.83 TAE mg / gram extract. Changes in the level of skin hydration before and after treatment showed a significant change (P value less than 0.05) with the highest change found at a concentration of 10%, namely 64.84%. Changes in skin collagen levels before and after treatment showed significant changes (P value less than 0.05) with the highest change found at a concentration of 10%, namely 56.25%. Changes in the level of skin elasticity before and after treatment showed significant changes (P value less than 0.05) with the highest change found at a concentration of 10%, namely 46.30%. Changes in the level of skin pigmentation before and after treatment showed a significant change (P value less than 0.05) with the highest change found at a concentration of 10%, namely 35.97%. The highest percentage of decrease in sebum level among all groups given red spinach methanol extract ointment was indicated by the highest concentration of 10%, which was 40%. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the red spinach leaf extract ointment has quite good anti-aging activity.