Lavender is a valuable medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Currently 39 species are known, but only Lavandula angustifolia is a pharmacopoeial raw material. Lavender has a long history of medicinal use and mainly exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sedative, antidepressant, spasmolytic, anticholinesterases, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Used internally, it relieves symptoms of mental stress and insomnia and supports digestion. Topical use of lavender in aromatherapy, neuralgia and antiseptics is also known. The constant interest in lavender, and in particular in Lavandula angustifolia, in the field of medicine and pharmacy is evidenced by the growing number of publications. In view of so many studies, it seems important to review traditional and modern extraction techniques that determine the chemical composition responsible for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of various extracts from the species of the Lavandula genus.

Lavender is a valuable perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family. It is grown mainly for its essential oil, but it also contains polar bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and coumarins. Their level depends on the species, cultivars, geographical origin, climatic conditions, harvest time and extraction method. The authors investigated the effect of several extraction procedures (maceration, decoction and ultrasound-assisted extraction) applied to three cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (Betty’s Blue, Elizabeth, Hidcote) and two cultivars of Lavandula x intermedia (Grosso, Gros Bleu) on the yield of the polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis showed the presence of rosmarinic acid (2.52–10.82 mg/g), ferulic acid glucoside (2.94–8.67 mg/g), caffeic acid (1.70–3.10 mg/g), morin (1.02–13.63 mg/g), coumarin (1.01–5.97 mg/g) and herniarin (1.05–8.02 mg/g). The content of phenolic acids and flavonoids was higher in lavender, while the content of coumarins was higher in lavandin in all types of extracts. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH-EPR assay for antiradical properties (104.58–206.77 μmol Trolox/g) and FRAP assay for reducing properties (79.21–203.06 μmol Trolox/g). The obtained results showed that the cultivar is the dominant factor differentiating the samples. Still, the extraction method plays an important role in the final bioactive substances content and antioxidant properties of obtained extracts.

Aronia (chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa) is a valuable fruit that combines the health benefits of green tea and red wine and is gaining popularity worldwide. Aronia has a unique chemical composition with strong antioxidant properties, including anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids (CGAs). However, it remains unclear which specific compounds or groups are primarily responsible for the antioxidant properties of chokeberry. Therefore, an analysis of the antioxidant properties of aronia berries based on geographical region and their variability during ripening (from green to frostbitten fruit) was conducted. The fruits were collected from three locations for two years. The aim of our work was to identify the compounds responsible for the antioxidant properties of aronia berry extracts by using chemometric methods. The analyses of anthocyanins and CGAs were performed using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant capacity was assessed by FRAP and DPPH methods. The PCA analysis also considered variations in temperature and precipitation. The chemometric analysis revealed a strong correlation between radical-scavenging properties and the content levels of chlorogenic acids. The results obtained in this study show that unripe green chokeberry fruits exhibit the highest antioxidant properties, which can be attributed to the high content of CGAs at this stage.

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine owing to its high content of various bioactive metabolites and wide geographic occurrence. Nowadays, it plays an important role in the pharmaceutical industry and is increasingly significant in modern cosmetology. The objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant activity and compare the content of polyphenolic compounds in two commercial extracts of H. perforatum, glycerol–water and propylene glycol–water, which are used as cosmetic raw materials. The HPLC method was used to determine phenolic compounds. The total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content of H. perforatum extracts were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Free radical-scavenging properties were analyzed using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical assay with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (DPPH-EPR assay), as well as the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method. St. John’s wort extracts were able to scavenge free radicals, indicating beneficial cellular protection against oxidative stress. The use of non-toxic extractants makes it possible to obtain extracts with high antioxidant potential, which can be safely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The results of this study, i.e., the values for TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), suggest that Hypericum perforatum, especially the glycerol–water extract, has antioxidant potential.

Yarrow has long been known as a medicinal plant and has recently been gaining in importance as a cosmetic plant. The purpose of the study was to perform a phytochemical evaluation of extracts from yarrow herb of the Paprika cultivar, which has not previously been studied in this regard, and to determine its protective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Comparative analysis of two types of extracts, obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), showed that the former had higher content of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and condensed tannins, as well as better antioxidant properties, as determined by spectrophotometric methods (DPPH and FRAP). The biological properties of the water–ethanol yarrow herb extract obtained by UAE was tested in vitro on 15 microbial strains (14 bacterial strains and one fungal strain), as well as on two lines of skin cells: HaCaT keratinocytes and HDF fibroblasts. In addition, the sun protection factor and rheological characteristics of a model cosmetic cream based on the extract were determined. Yarrow extract was shown to exhibit a number of important activities for cosmetic ingredients, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, photoprotective, and anti-ageing activity. The results of the study indicate that this material has potential applications in cosmetics, e.g., in products for mature skin with signs of ageing such as wrinkles or hyperpigmentation.

Salvia yangii is a popular garden plant known for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and skin protective properties of S. yangii extracts, which have not previously been studied in this regard. Comparison of the water–ethanol extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with a CO₂ extract showed that the former had higher content of polyphenolic compounds. Chromatographic analyses of UAE identified such phenolic compounds as rosmarinic acid, hesperidin, and caffeic acid. The biological properties of UAE were also tested in vitro on 15 microbial strains as well as on two lines of skin cells. In addition, a hydrogel and lotion based on the extract were tested for rheological and textural properties. This study showed that S. yangii extract can be a valuable natural cosmetic material owing to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, photoprotective, and anti-aging effects. The future use of S. yangii extracts in the cosmetic industry is promising due to its particular chemical profile and biological properties.