Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcuma Longa Extracts and Fractions on Skin Inflammation
Authors: Lee Gyo-Young , Seo Seung-Hee 
Published: October 2024

Addresses the impact of modern society’s rapid industrialization and environmental pollution, leading to increased oxidative stress and immune system disorders. Skin barrier issues have resulted in a rise in inflammatory skin conditions, sparking heightened interest in functional cosmetics to address these concerns and combat aging. The research focused on exploring natural ingredients, particularly specific fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts, known for their antioxidant properties. The results of this study are summarized as follows. In the first stage experiment, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity were investigated, and fractions exhibiting higher scavenging activity than extracts were sought. In the 2nd-step experiment, the cell survival rate was examined to determine the concentration that would not affect cytotoxicity. To demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells, inflammation reactions were induced by LPS and the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) was controlled. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions all proved excellent control effects on NO production. In HaCaT cells, skin inflammation was induced with TNF-α/IFN-γ and the control of interleukin (IL)-6 production was measured. As a result, <i>Curcuma Longa</i> extracts and fractions proved to facilitate the immune reaction and control the reaction that would lead to inflammation. In the following 3rd-step experiment, the control of Chemokine’s major factors IL-8, RANTES, and TARC was measured. As a result, it was verified that certain fractions of <i>Curcuma Longa</i> of extract showed excellent Chemokine production control effects and thus that these specific fractions are effective on various inflammatory skin diseases. ICAM-1 expressions were observed to control the initial stage of inflammation in a way of cellular adhesion regulation, and the MAPK path which is important to regulate inflammatory reactions in the signaling system was measured. As a result, the inhibition of phosphorylation, which is important for initial inflammation inhibition and inflammatory reaction control, was verified. Based on the above-stated findings, active ingredients containing certain fractions were analyzed, and color reactions in specific fractions were induced from active ingredient spots of extract. In consideration of future material development and production, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of active ingredients of certain fractions were examined with the HPLC, and it was verified that certain fractions contained more active ingredients than extracts. In conclusion, certain fractions of natural elements proved the great potentials as a cosmetics ingredient. Therefore, these fractions proved excellent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in certain fractions, and the efficiency is quite high with only a small quantity of them. It is expected that these fractions are widely utilized as a cosmetic element, and the future study will examine natural cosmetic elements from these fractions with the aim to contribute to the functional cosmetics industry and anti-aging product market.