Human 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are potential targets for suppressing pruritic skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition, Staphylococcus aureus colonization and oxidative stress worsen AD skin conditions. We aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity, using 5-LOX and COX-2 inhibitions, and the anti-staphylococcal, and antioxidant potentials of several medicinal plants bio-prospected from traditional medicine related to AD pathogenesis. Essential oils and hexane fractions were prepared and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Boesenbergia rotunda hexane extract displayed anti-Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 10 µg/mL) and antioxidant activities (IC₅₀ = 557.97 and 2651.67 µg/mL against DPPH and NO radicals, respectively). A major flavonoid, pinostrobin, was further nonchromatographically isolated. Pinostrobin was shown to be a potent 5-LOX inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 0.499 µM) compared to nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; IC₅₀ = 5.020 µM) and betamethasone dipropionate (BD; IC₅₀ = 2.077 µM) as the first-line of AD treatment. Additionally, pinostrobin inhibited COX-2 (IC₅₀ = 285.67 µM), which was as effective as diclofenac sodium (IC₅₀ = 290.35 µM) and BD (IC₅₀ = 240.09 µM). This kinetic study and molecular modeling showed the mixed-type inhibition of NDGA and pinostrobin against 5-LOX. This study suggests that B. rotunda and its bioactive pinostrobin have promising properties for AD therapy.

Herbal medicine has been studied as an alternate approach to modern medicine as it is more cost-effective and accessible via natural sources. Eclipta alba (E. alba, L.) Hassk. is a weed plant abundantly distributed throughout different regions of the world and contains abundant bioactive compounds used for various skin conditions. In this review, we aimed to gather information from the literature about the extraction, separation, and identification of these bioactive compounds and their potential in skin diseases. Relevant studies published before August 2023 were identified and selected from electronic databases, including Scopus, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Wiley Library, using the following keywords: Eclipta alba, Eclipta prostrata, phytochemicals, extraction, separation, isolation, identification, characterization, pharmacological activity, and skin conditions. Up-to-date extraction, separation, and identification methods of bioactive compounds from E. alba and their skin-related pharmacological activities are discussed in this review. As there are limitations regarding extraction, separation, and identification methods, and in-depth mechanistic and human studies of the skin-related pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds, these gaps are areas for future research to expand our understanding and broaden the potential applications of this medicinal weed plant, including the development of cosmeceutical and skincare products, anti-inflammatory agents, and formulations for dermatological treatments.

Concerns surrounding breast cancer have been increasing, as it leads to the current global cancer incidence and causes a high mortality rate in women. This study investigated the physiological effects of common dietary polyphenols that might prevent breast cancer progression. Quercetin, kaempferol, and rosmarinic acid were selected to explore their potential bioactivities. Each polyphenol was formulated into a microemulsion to improve its bioactivity and bioavailability. In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of the selected polyphenols and their microemulsion forms were further investigated. The optimized microemulsion carrier with 1% oleic acid, 3% ethanol, 10% polysorbate 20, and 86% ultrapure water achieved more than 90% polyphenol encapsulation efficiency. The microemulsion was stable for more than 30 days when encapsulating polyphenol in the fluctuating temperature treatment. In vitro studies suggested that rosmarinic acid-loaded microemulsion had the best antioxidant activity compared with other polyphenol-loaded microemulsions (PL-MEs). Blank microemulsion and all PL-MEs significantly inhibited the proliferation of both hormone-dependent (T47D) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. More studies are warranted to confirm the contribution of the microemulsion carrier components to the polyphenols’ improved antioxidant activity and high toxicity of PL-MEs on breast cancer cells.

Cannabis sativa L. has been traditionally used for its therapeutic properties, particularly in treating various skin conditions. This study explores the in vitro anti-aging potential of five distinct parts of C. sativa L. (inflorescence, seed, leaf, stem, and root) by analyzing their bioactive compounds and biological activities. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was employed using ethyl acetate as an extracting solvent, followed by chemical characterization via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS/MS) analyses. The biological assessment included antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase activities, and cytotoxicity evaluations. The inflorescence extract demonstrated the antioxidant activity, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 3,849.01 ± 5.25 µg/mL against DPPH radicals and 31.19 ± 0.96% inhibition of NO radicals at 1.25 mg/mL. Notably, the stem extract exhibited the highest anti-tyrosinase activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/mL, and significantly inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activity with an IC₅₀ value of <0.024 µg/mL. All extracts showed no cytotoxicity on HaCaT cells at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, indicating their potential safety for dermatological applications. The stem extract was abundant in phytosterols, triterpenoids, diterpenoids, unsaturated fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, which likely contribute to its anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase effects. These findings suggest that the stem, traditionally considered as waste, could be a valuable raw material for developing dermatological treatments with strong anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening effects.