Yield and potency of solid extract from unripe Carissa carandas fruit on collagen synthesis and stretch-mark treatment

Jasadee Kaewsrichan, Waranya Tangkitworakul and Sirikhwan Manee

Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research
Published: October 10 2024
Volume 12, Issue 4
Pages 69-77

Abstract

The extracellular matrices (ECM) of dermis layers of the skin are mainly composed of collagen fibers. Quick rupture and fragmentation of the fibers, such as due to pregnancy and sunburn, may result in stretch marks. In this research, the unripe fruit of Carissa carandas was extracted using 95% ethanol, and a solid substance of 2% by weight was obtained after cooling the extract at 6°C overnight. The solid extract was assayed to present ascorbic acid of 85% equivalent as well as polyphenols of 105 mg gallic acid equivalent. The antioxidation property of the extract was revealed regarding the DPPH scavenging antioxidant assay equivalent to 175 mg Trolox per gram extract. A fibroblast cell line, L929, was cultured and treated with 20 µg/mL of the extract or ascorbic acid standard for 20 hours. A decrease of mmp1 and mmp9 gene transcription and an increase of col1a gene transcription and translation were found after treatments. This used concentration caused 20% cell death so it was the IC₂₀. Light cream containing 1% extract was prepared. Under sensational analysis, the cream product was spreadable and adsorbable, whereas an ordinary fruit smell remained on the skin. Each 0.5 g of the formulated cream and the placebo was separately applied on half of an abdomen of 12 female subjects twice daily for 3 and 6 weeks. No allergic signs were recorded for such use. Improved appearance of indented stretches, regarding skin fineness and cell orientation, by 2 and 3 subjects was demonstrated, which was of 16% and 25% effectiveness, respectively. The results of in vitro RNA and protein analyses and clinical evaluation are complementary, implicating the developing of a new and efficient cosmetic product for stretch-mark treatment. Trials using larger groups of volunteers are important to be carried out for endorsing the cream’s efficiency on addressing stretch marks.

Keywords: Carissa carandas, col1a gene, collagen, natural ascorbic acid, polyphenols, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, stretch marks

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