Development of Anti-Wrinkle Agent from Nelumbo nucifera Root Extract

In this research, root extracts of Nelumbo nucifera was tested to see the possibility for functional cosmetic agent. 70-100% ethanol was used as solvent and nuciferin was confirmed as active component. To test cosmetic effect of root extracts of Nelumbo nucifera, safety effect(MTT assay), anti-wrinkle effect(elastase inhibition assay) and antioxidation effect(DPPH free radical scavenging assay) were measured. When 100% ethanol was used as extracting solvent, cell viability was over 80% at 100 mu g/ml, which indicated that root extract of Nelumbo nucifera was suitable for cosmetic agent. Root extract of Nelumbo nucifera showed 40 similar to 50% elastase inhibition at 100 mu g/ml so that it had good anti-wrinkle characteristics. 50% antioxidation capacity(FSC50) was 5.0 similar to 38 mu g/ml and root extract of Nelumbo nucifera showed excellent antioxidation effect. From the research, root extracts of Nelumbo nucifera showed strong possibility for anti-wrinkle functional cosmetic agent.