Aspergillus species consists of a group of opportunistic fungi that is virulent when the immunity of the host is compromised. Among the various species, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent species. However, the prevalence of fungal infections caused by non-fumigatus Aspergillus has been increasing. Polyenes, echinocandins and azoles are the three main classes of antifungal agents being used for the treatment of aspergillosis. Nevertheless, the incidence of resistance towards these three classes has been rising over the years among several Aspergillus spp. The side effects associated with these conventional antifungal agents have also limited their usage. This urges the need for the discovery of a safe and effective antifungal agent, which presents a major challenge in medicine today. Plants present a rich source of bioactive molecules which have been proven effective against a wide range of infections and conditions. Therefore, this present review intends to examine the current literature available regarding the efficacy and mechanism of action of plant extracts and their compounds against Aspergillus spp. In addition, novel drug delivery systems of plant extracts against Aspergillus spp. were also included in this review.

The widely reported adverse effects of synthetic ingredients encourage the development of green cosmeceuticals to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. The waste product of mangosteen (mangosteen peel) was utilized in the formulation to reduce waste production corresponding to SDG 12, in addition to its anti-aging and pigmentation control effects. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate novel herbal face creams containing standardized mangosteen peel extract. The mangosteen creams were formulated using natural ingredients and were evaluated for their organoleptic characteristics, rheology, spreadability and pH. Furthermore, an accelerated stability study, freeze–thaw stability study and centrifugation test were conducted. In addition, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays were conducted to assess its antioxidant effects, whereas tyrosinase inhibitory assay was conducted to determine its anti-tyrosinase activity. The formulated creams appeared light yellowish-brown and homogenous without phase separation. The creams displayed shear-thinning behavior and optimal pH which was ideal for topical application. The creams were stable after being subjected to various stability tests and were shown to have antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity. In conclusion, the development of mangosteen-based green cosmeceutical face cream is in line with SDG 3 and 12. It is expected to be used as a safe and effective alternative to synthetic products.

Wound is defined as the damage to biological tissues including skin, mucous membranes and organ tissues. The acute wound heals in less than 4 weeks without complications, while a chronic wound takes longer than 6 weeks to heal. Wound healing occurs in 4 phases, namely, coagulation, inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases. Triclosan and benzalkonium chloride are commonly used as skin disinfectants in wound healing. However, they cause allergic contact dermatitis and antibiotic resistance. Medicinal plants are widely studied due to the limited availability of wound healing agents. The present review included six commonly available medicinal plants in Malaysia such as Aloe barbadensis Miller, Carica papaya Linn., Centella asiatica Linn., Cymbopogon nardus Linn., Ficus benghalensis Linn. and Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. Various search engines and databases were used to obtain the scientific findings, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed Central and Research Gate. The review discussed the possible mechanism of action of medicinal plants and their active constituents in the wound healing process. In addition, their application in nanotechnology and wound dressings was also discussed in detail.

Facial mask plays an important role in skincare routines due to its immediate effect on the skin and ease of use. Consumer awareness of the adverse effects of synthetic ingredients encourages the development of green cosmetics to meet consumer demand and achieve sustainability. Hence, facial masks without synthetic ingredients would gain more public preference. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a new polyherbal powdered facial mask for anti-ageing effects. The polyherbal powdered facial mask was formulated using tomato powder, turmeric powder, and chickpea flour. The polyherbal powdered facial mask and the marketed mask were evaluated for organoleptic characteristics, particle size, pH, spreadability, flowability, and loss on drying. Heavy metal tests and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay were also conducted for the polyherbal mask. The polyherbal mask was cosmetically acceptable and skin-friendly due to its optimal pH (5.31 ± 0.13), spreadability (100 g: 3.93 ± 0.05 cm; 200 g: 4.37 ± 0.17 cm), flowability (angle of repose: 35.47 ± 1.90⁰; bulk density: 0.36 ± 0.03 g/cm3; Hausner's ratio: 1.00 ± 0.0001; Carr's index: 0.25 ± 0.01%) and water content (LOD: 0.90 ± 0.08%). Heavy metal tests demonstrated that the polyherbal mask was free from cadmium and lead. In addition, turmeric contributes to the antioxidant activity of the polyherbal mask. In conclusion, the polyherbal powdered facial mask is a safe and effective alternative to the marketed mask for anti-ageing effects.

Facial mask plays an important role in skincare routines due to its immediate effect on the skin and ease of use. Consumer awareness of the adverse effects of synthetic ingredients encourages the development of green cosmetics to meet consumer demand and achieve sustainability. Hence, facial masks without synthetic ingredients would gain more public preference. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a new polyherbal powdered facial mask for anti-ageing effects. The polyherbal powdered facial mask was formulated using tomato powder, turmeric powder, and chickpea flour. The polyherbal powdered facial mask and the marketed mask were evaluated for organoleptic characteristics, particle size, pH, spreadability, flowability, and loss on drying. Heavy metal tests and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay were also conducted for the polyherbal mask. The polyherbal mask was cosmetically acceptable and skin-friendly due to its optimal pH (5.31 ± 0.13), spreadability (100 g: 3.93 ± 0.05 cm; 200 g: 4.37 ± 0.17 cm), flowability (angle of repose: 35.47 ± 1.90⁰; bulk density: 0.36 ± 0.03 g/cm3; Hausner's ratio: 1.00 ± 0.0001; Carr's index: 0.25 ± 0.01%) and water content (LOD: 0.90 ± 0.08%). Heavy metal tests demonstrated that the polyherbal mask was free from cadmium and lead. In addition, turmeric contributes to the antioxidant activity of the polyherbal mask. In conclusion, the polyherbal powdered facial mask is a safe and effective alternative to the marketed mask for anti-ageing effects.