Potential Bioactivities of Tamarind Seed Jellose at the Cellular Level for Cosmetic Product Development

Abstract

In recent years, the utilization of tamarind seeds as a potential and sustainable ingredient in green cosmetics has gained significant interest. These seeds, previously considered by-products in various food industries, are now being recognized for their interesting value and wide range of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to deeply examine the potential biological activities and underlying molecular mechanisms of tamarind seed jellose (TJ), a natural polysaccharide derived from Tamarindus indica seeds, for various cosmetic applications. Tyrosinase, a key regulator of melanin synthesis and skin color, was the main focus of this study. Through a series of in vitro experiments on skin fibroblasts and B16 melanoma cells, the cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, and melanogenesis inhibitory potential of tamarind seed jellose were evaluated. Notably, the results revealed that TJ had no obvious cytotoxic effects on skin fibroblast cells at any tested concentrations, ranging from 0 to 10 mg/mL. Interestingly, tamarind seed jellose effectively reduced melanin synthesis by inhibiting tyrosinase expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TJ exhibited a promising antioxidant activity. Collectively, these findings highlight that TJ has the potential to serve as a safe and multi-functional ingredient for green cosmetic applications, offering the potential opportunity to repurpose waste for the beauty industry.