Anti-tyrosinase, anti-skin pathogenic bacterial, and antioxidant activities and phytochemical constituents of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen extract

Abstract

Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen (Chandaeng) is an important traditional medicinal plant used in ancient Thai household remedies. This research focused on investigating the biological properties, including the antibacterial, anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant activities, and phytochemical characteristics of crude Chandaeng extracts. Dried Chandaeng heartwood powder was extracted using ethanol, methanol, and deionized water. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were then tested against skin pathogens, including Cutibacterium acnes (DMST14916), Staphylococcus epidermidis (TISTR518), and Staphylococcus aureus (TISTR321). The ethanolic extract showed antibacterial activity. In a time-kill assay, all bacteria were completely killed after being exposed to it, while the cell membranes were found to have leaked when viewed under a scanning electron microscope. Antioxidant potential was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2¢-azino-bis -3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. According to the findings, the crude ethanolic extract of Chandaeng showed the highest level of antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the potential of the extract to treat skin hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an important melanin synthesis enzyme, was determined and the ethanolic extract was found to be an anti-tyrosinase agent. Finally, the crude ethanolic extract showed the highest total phenolic compound and flavonoid content. In conclusion, crude Chandaeng extract showed significant potential in activity against skin pathogenic bacteria, antioxidant activity, and tyrosinase inhibition. These properties of the extract could be applied to skincare cosmetics.