Application of Natural Products in Cosmetics: a Study of Ixora Coccinea Extracts for Their Antityrosinase and Antioxidant Activities

Non-toxic natural products employed in the formulation of cosmetics are of considerable interest. Recent efforts have focused on the identification of substances that inhibit tyrosinase activity (skin whitening properties) or suppress the formation of reactive oxygen species in skin cells (antiaging). In the present study, different parts of Ixora coccinea (IC) in various solvents were examined for antityrosinase and antioxidant activities. The methods for screening are based on tyrosinase inhibitior potency using mushroom tyrosinase and antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, ferric reducing power and phenol estimation. Among the parts investigated for skin whitening activity, the flowers were found to possess the superior activity. The methanolic extract of bark had the highest inhibition of DPPH when compared to flowers and leaves. However, the antioxidant potential of leaves and flowers were also comparable with bark. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation & the phenolic content was maximum in the leaves when compared to bark and flowers. Bark exhibited the best ferric reducing power when compared to other parts. Thus, Ixora coccinea serves as a potential source of ingredient for formulating the cosmetic products. © 2011 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved