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academies
Adv cel sci tissue cul 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 2
Cell Science, Stem Cell Research &
Pharmacological Regenerative Medicine
November 29-30, 2017 | Atlanta, USA
Annual Congress on
S
outh African plants were selected for investigation on
the basis of their traditional uses for skin-disorders.
South Africa has a wealthy supply of plants (about 23,500
species of higher plants) together with a high degree of
endemicity (36.6%), of which 4000 plant taxa are ethno
medicinally used and approximately 500 species are used in
traditional medicine by an estimated 70% South Africans on
a regular basis. The country has huge potential in identifying
novel compounds to treat many diseases. Ethanolic and
fermented extracts were prepared and their anti-ageing
potential was evaluated by means of elastase inhibition.
The results showed significant elastase-inhibition for three
samples compared to the positive control, ursolic acid, a
known inhibitor, with the ability of the extracts to inhibit
50% of the enzyme (IC50) at concentrations of 79.09 μg/ml,
83.92 μg/ml and 50.59 μg/ml for the ethanolic samples of
Annona senegalensis
(leaves) (ASL),
Annona senegalensis
(bark and twigs) (ASB) and
Persicaria senegalensis
(PS)
respectively. All three samples were then evaluated for their
in vitro
cytotoxic potential against the human keratinocyte
cell line and were found to exhibit no cytotoxicity at the
highest concentration tested (400 μg/ml). Further studies
then investigated the anti-inflammatory propensity of the
extracts by measuring their ability to inhibit a crucial enzyme
involved in the inflammatory process, cyclooxygenase-ii. The
results indicated the best inhibition of this enzyme to be for
PS, with an IC50 of 2.27 μg/ml, followed closely by ASL (3.51
μg/ml) and ASB (5.02 μg/ml). Superoxide has been identified
as one of three main free radicals implicated in the activation
of the ageing pathway and as such the scavenging capacity of
these extracts was also evaluated. The results again revealed
the best activity by PS (27.22 μg/ml), followed then by
ASB (43.29 μg/ml) and ASL 70.38 μg/ml). PS thus showed
the greatest potential of the samples tested, exhibiting
noteworthy inhibition of crucial enzymes implicated in
the ageing pathway as well as the ability to diminish the
activation of the pathway. Another shining example of anti-
ageing skin care by South African plants is
Myrsine africana
(INCI: Alcohol (and) Water (and)
Myrsine africana
Leaf Extract
(MA). The semi-pure fraction of the plant inhibited elastase
with an IC50 value of 28.04 μg/ml. Semi-pure fractions was
evaluated for their anti-ageing efficacy in clinical studies,
confirming their activity and a potential licensee is being
explored. The results obtained from this study illustrate the
value of terrestrial as well as wetland plants of South Africa
used by indigenous knowledge systems and will hopefully
encourage the recognition and conservation of indigenous
knowledge as guarded by their knowledge holders across
South Africa. A number of other medicinal samples with
significant activity for skin-hyperpigmentation, acne, oral
care, an adjuvant for tuberculosis- patients have been
identified. The samples were subjected to clinical studies
and have been recommended for their use for melasma,
skin-toning purposes and for acne. The research results
have attracted a number of national and international
Cosmeceutical companies who are willing to commercialize
extracts and purified compounds which might eventually
lead to entrepreneurship.
Speaker Biography
Namrita Lall has completed her PhD from the University of Pretoria and was a visiting
Scientist at the University of Illinois, Chicago and Kings College London. She has
published more than 120 papers in reputed journals. She is also the Co-inventor of
16 national and international patents. This medicinal plant scientist at the University
of Pretoria is ranked in the top 1% of the global Essential Science Indicators list of
influential academics who write about pharmacology and toxicology. In 2014, she
received the Order of Mapungubwe - South Africa’s highest honor - from President
Jacob Zuma, in recognition of her research.
e:
Namrita.lall@up.ac.zaNamrita Lall
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Green solutions for skin-ageing