Integrated In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties - Santalum album

Author

Mohd Kamal N.H., Hafizah A.H., Zaridah M.Z., Ihsan Safwan K.


Abstract

 Santalum album (S. album) has long been utilized in traditional medicine and cosmetic formulations; however, systematic scientific evidence supporting its antioxidant efficacy, enzyme inhibitory effects, and cellular safety remains limited. This study aimed to conduct an integrated in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibition potential, and cytocompatibility of an aqueous extract of S. album. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids (3+), tannins (1+), and saponins (1+), while alkaloids, steroids, and triterpenes were absent. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, total phenolic content (TPC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. The extract exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity (76.53 ± 5.57% at 1 mg/mL) and concentration-dependent ferric reducing power, with the highest FRAP value observed at 10 mg/mL, comparable to ascorbic acid. TPC analysis demonstrated a dose-dependent increase, confirming the contribution of phenolic compounds to antioxidant capacity. In an oxidative stress model, S. album extract (10 mg/mL) significantly reduced MDA levels compared to the negative control, indicating effective inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Enzyme inhibition assays showed mild to moderate inhibitory effects against collagenase (26.66 ± 2.72%), lipoxygenase (16.81 ± 1.85%), hyaluronidase (11.44 ± 0.84%), elastase (8.45 ± 1.60%), and xanthine oxidase (7.73 ± 0.91%), suggesting supportive anti-inflammatory and anti-aging potential. Cytotoxicity evaluation using Vero, WRL-68, and BALB/3T3 cell lines demonstrated no significant toxicity, with IC₅₀ values exceeding 500 µg/mL for all tested cells. Overall, the findings indicate that S. album aqueous extract possesses strong antioxidant activity, mild enzyme inhibitory effects, and excellent cellular safety, supporting its potential application as a safe and functional ingredient in cosmeceutical and skin-protective formulations.


Keywords

Santalum album; antioxidant activity; enzyme inhibition; cytocompatibility; cosmeceutical applications



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References


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