Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activity and Application of Cymbopogon citratus In Vitro Microshoot Cultures in Cosmetic Formulations
Source abstract
Abstract
This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activity of Cymbopogon citratus microshoot cultures and evaluated their suitability for incorporation into a cosmetic formulation. Microshoot cultures were established on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with plant growth regulators and served as a reproducible source of biomass. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Chemical composition was characterized using LC-MS/MS analysis, which revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, with p-coumaric, caffeic, and ferulic acids being among the most abundant detected constituents. In biological assays, the extracts inhibited murine tyrosinase in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited antimicrobial activity against selected oral and skin-associated microorganisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as showing fungistatic and fungicidal effects against Candida albicans. Cytotoxicity analysis performed on HaCaT keratinocytes confirmed biocompatibility within the tested concentration range. To assess formulation suitability, the microshoot extract was incorporated into an oil-in-water (O/W) cream, which maintained stable pH, viscosity, and physical properties while preserving the antioxidant activity of the extract. Overall, these findings indicate that C. citratus microshoot cultures represent a reproducible source of bioactive metabolites with potential application in cosmetic formulations.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Wound Healing and Treatments · Skin Protection and Aging · Plant tissue culture and regeneration
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19a, 25-516 Kielce, Poland
Department of Cosmetology, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Sucharskiego 2, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
Department of Biology, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Uniwersytecka 7, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
Department of Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Funding
Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce
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