USD Conference Systems, International Conference on Sustainable Natural Products in Healthcare 2025

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Evaluation of Phyllanthus urinaria Extracts: Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibition, and Cytoprotection for Dermatological Use
Sendy Junedi

Last modified: 2025-05-25

Abstract


Phyllanthus urinaria, commonly known as red meniran, has long been valued in traditional medicine for its diverse pharmacological properties. However, its potential applications in dermatology, particularly in combating skin aging and hyperpigmentation, remain underexplored. This study evaluated its phytochemical content, antioxidant, anticollagenase, and antityrosinase activities, and cytoprotective effects using extracts from 70% ethanol, acetone, and n-hexane. The extracts were assessed for phytochemical amount, antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay, enzyme inhibition for collagenase and tyrosinase, and cell viability on fibroblasts cells (NIH/3T3) under oxidative stress. Phytochemical screening showed that ethanol and acetone extracts were rich in phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins, exhibiting comparable antioxidant and anticollagenase activities. Notably, the acetone extract displayed significantly higher antityrosinase activity and better protection for reactive oxygen species-exposed fibroblast cells, leading to increased cell viability. This bioactivity is likely due to the distinct metabolites profiles of the extracts. Conversely, the n-hexane extract, lacking phenolic and flavonoid compounds and containing minimal tannins, showed poor antioxidant activity, no anticollagenase or antityrosinase effects, and failed to enhance cell viability under oxidative stress. In conclusion, red meniran extracts—particularly from acetone—demonstrate strong potential for dermatological applications. Their multifunctional activities support further investigation and development into anti-aging and skin-brightening formulations.


Keywords


Anticollagenase; antioxidant; antityrosinase; cytoprotection; Phyllanthus urinaria