Bioactive Fractions Isolated from Lam. and Engl. Regulate Collagen and Melanin Biosynthesis Gene Expression in UVB-irradiated Cells with Additional Anti-inflammatory Potential.

Background: (HM) and (PA), used traditionally for skin care, have been reported to upregulate the expression of intracellular antioxidant genes, thereby preventing melanoma and protecting fibroblast cell lines from Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced intracellular oxidative stress.

Aims: This investigation aimed to identify major compounds in bioactive fractions using bioassay- guided fractionation.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory effect of fractions was determined by measuring their inhibitory activity on 15-lipoxygenase and nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Additionally, the anti-aging efficacy of the fractions was determined by assessing the expression of markers for the aging process, i.e., expression of tyrosinase (), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (), procollagen type-1 (), and matrix metalloproteinase- 1 () in UVB-induced photoaging in skin cell-lines. Furthermore, UHPLCMS- based identification of the bioactive compounds from the most prominent fraction was also carried out.

Results: Hexane fraction of HM significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the 15-lipoxygenase (IC = 46.80 μg/mL) and NO production (IC = 66.55 μg/mL), whereas hexane fraction of PA was effective (p < 0.05) in inhibiting 15-lipoxygenase activity (IC = 27.55 μg/mL). Furthermore, the hexane fraction of HM and methanol fraction of PA were significantly effective (p < 0.05) in reverting the UVB-mediated altered expressions of , and . Furthermore, hexane fraction of HM revealed the presence of harunganin and betulinic acid, whereas vismion D, vismin, kenganthranol B, and bianthrone 1a were identified from the methanol fraction of PA.

Conclusion: Overall, the hexane fraction of HM and methanol fraction of PA displayed effective anti-aging activities, with additional anti-inflammatory effects.