Pharmacy

Aging is an inevitable process for all living organisms. During this process reactive oxygen species generation is
increased which leads to the activation of hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase, which can further contribute to
skin aging. Therefore, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis is important strategies for skin anti-aging.
Nature has an excellent anti-aging remedies that acts externally whereas internally to delay aging signs. In view of
this fact, the present study investigates the in vitro anti-aging activity of 11 Egyptian medicinal plants belonging to
phenolic rich families. The total phenolic contents of the aqueous and 95% ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of
the tweleve plants were determined spectrophotometrically using Folin Ciocalteu reagent. The ethanolic and
aqueous extracts of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) showed the highest content (490.60 ± 0.55 and 470.88 ±
0.41 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg extract, respectively) followed by the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of green tea
(467.30 ± 0.75 and 455.76 ± 0.49 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg extract, respectively). The inhibition capabilities of
the extracts on tyrosinase, elastase, hyaluronidase and collagenase enzyme activities were determined using
spectrophotometric methods. Our extracts showed significant inhibition of the tested enzymes. The ethanolic
extract of Rosemary showed the highest inhibition activity for all enzymes (180.40±3.49, 45.5±1.69, 35.52± 2.18
and 210± 3.44 μg/mL, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by ORAC and DPPH, were also
determined where all the extracts showed significant results. The chemical composition of the most active extract
was studied using LC-/MS analysis. Our herbs can restore skin elasticity and thereby slow the wrinkling process.
In addition, Rosemary was studied for its anti-aging benefits as the aerial parts are rich in antioxidants. By using
Rosemary ethanolic extract in various ratios a cream was prepared and characterized for its physical properties.
The best formula was optimized which has been evaluated for anti-aging activity using animal models and the
results were compared with the standard. The results showed that the cream formulation was found efficient. This
shows that the Rosemary has a good anti-aging activity and do not showed any irritant effects on skin.