This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Clinacanthus nutans extracts, focusing on the 95% ethanol (95E) extract and its nanoemulsified form, against oral pathogens and their bioactive effects. The findings demonstrate potent antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus, essential for combating periodontal diseases, and significant anti-biofilm properties crucial for plaque management. Additionally, the extracts exhibit promising inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase enzymes, indicating potential for diabetes management through glucose metabolism regulation. Their anti-inflammatory properties, evidenced by reduced nitric oxide production, underscore their potential for treating oral infections and inflammation. Notably, the nanoemulsified 95E extract shows higher efficiency than the conventional extract, suggesting a multifunctional treatment approach for periodontal issues and metabolic disorders. These results highlight the enhanced efficacy of the nanoemulsified extract, proposing it as an effective treatment modality for periodontal disease in diabetic patients. This research offers valuable insights into the development of innovative drug delivery systems using natural remedies for improved periodontal care in diabetic populations.

Melanin accumulation is the primary cause of skin hyperpigmentation, and most existing cosmetic agents address this process by inhibiting melanogenesis. In contrast, strategies that directly decolorize or degrade melanin remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report a novel biobased cosmetic ingredient derived from onion (Allium cepa)–associated endophytic fungi that exhibits direct melanin decolorization alongside skin-whitening and anti-aging activities. Endophytic fungi were isolated from onion tissues, and aqueous extracts were prepared to ensure cosmetic-grade compatibility. Preliminary screening demonstrated exceptional melanin-reducing capacity among the isolates, with a maximum reduction of 97.83%, highlighting their strong melanin degrading potential. A selected isolate, identified as Aspergillus brasiliensis (ACL05), was further investigated to elucidate the influence of sterilization methods on bioactivity. The autoclaved culture filtrate retained substantial melanin-reducing activity (62.85%), whereas ultrasonication-based cell inactivation resulted in significantly lower activity (32.54%), indicating that heat-stable extracellular metabolites are primarily responsible for melanin decolorization. A cosmetic essence formulated using the sterile ACL05 extract achieved a measurable melanin reduction of 15.39%, demonstrating formulation feasibility and functional efficacy. Beyond melanin decolorization, the ACL05 extract exhibited multifunctional anti-aging properties, including inhibitory activities against tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase, as well as significant antioxidant capacity as determined by the DPPH assay. Collectively, these findings reveal, for the first time, the potential of onion-derived endophytic Aspergillus brasiliensis as a sustainable source of multifunctional cosmetic bioactives. This work introduces a new paradigm for skin-whitening based on direct melanin decolorization while simultaneously addressing skin aging, supporting the development of next-generation biobased cosmetic ingredients.

Melanin accumulation is the primary cause of skin hyperpigmentation, and most existing cosmetic agents address this process by inhibiting melanogenesis. In contrast, strategies that directly decolorize or degrade melanin remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report a novel biobased cosmetic ingredient derived from onion (Allium cepa) associated endophytic fungi that exhibits direct melanin decolorization alongside skin-whitening and anti-aging activities. Endophytic fungi were isolated from onion tissues, and aqueous extracts were prepared to ensure cosmetic-grade compatibility. Preliminary screening demonstrated exceptional melanin-reducing capacity among the isolates, with a maximum reduction of 97.83%, highlighting their strong melanin degrading potential. A selected isolate, identified as Aspergillus brasiliensis (ACL05), was further investigated to elucidate the influence of sterilization methods on bioactivity. The autoclaved culture filtrate retained substantial melanin-reducing activity (62.85%), whereas ultrasonication-based cell inactivation resulted in significantly lower activity (32.54%), indicating that heat-stable extracellular metabolites are primarily responsible for melanin decolorization. A cosmetic essence formulated using the sterile ACL05 extract achieved a measurable melanin decolorization of 15.39%, demonstrating formulation feasibility and functional efficacy. Beyond melanin decolorization, the ACL05 extract exhibited multifunctional anti-aging properties, including inhibitory activities against tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase, as well as significant antioxidant capacity as determined by the DPPH assay. Collectively, these findings reveal, for the first time, the potential of onion-derived endophytic Aspergillus brasiliensis as a sustainable source of multifunctional cosmetic bioactives. This work introduces a new paradigm for skin-whitening based on direct melanin decolorization while simultaneously addressing skin aging, supporting the development of next-generation biobased cosmetic ingredients.