In vitro screening of elastase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of 22 halophyte plant extracts for novel cosmeceuticals

Background Halophyte plant (HPs), a salt-resistant flora, has been reported to provide several health benefits, but the knowledge of its cosmeceutical potential is still ambiguous. Here, 70% ethanol extracts of 22 HPs collected from along the coast of South Korea were investigated for their potentials of antioxidant, anti-aging, and whitening properties for use as materials in novel cosmeceuticals. Methods Antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-pricrylhydrazyl) free radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays, and skin aging-related enzyme activities (anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, anti-hyaluronidase, and anti-tyrosinase) were evaluated by using the spectrophotometric method. Results Among the 22 HPs, we found that Ischaemum antephoroides f. coreana and Atriplex gmelinii extracts presented the strongest scavenging effects against DPPH free radical and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Our finding additionally suggested that Salicornia europaea extract might provide a major source of anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase; meanwhile, Rosa rugosa extract showed the highest anti-collagenase effect. Furthermore, the highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity was possessed by Spartina anglica extract. Conclusion These findings may suggest that halophyte plants showing biological activities may be potent inhibitors of tyrosinase, elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase and could be useful for application in cosmeceuticals. Keywords: Halophyte plants, Antioxidant, Skin aging-related enzyme activities, Cosmeceuticals