Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammation, and Melanogenesis Inhibition of Sang 5 CMU Rice (Oryza sativa) Byproduct for Cosmetic Applications

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to environmental oxidative stress can result in visible signs of skin aging such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and thinning of the skin. Oryza sativa variety Sang 5 CMU, an inbred rice cultivar from northern Thailand, contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds in its bran and husk portions that are known for their natural antioxidant properties. In this study, we evaluated the cosmetic properties of crude extracts from rice bran and husk of Sang 5 CMU, focusing on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenesis, and collagen-regulating properties. Our findings suggest that both extracts possess antioxidant potential against DPPH, ABTS radicals, and metal ions. Additionally, they could downregulate TBARS levels from 125% to 100% of the control, approximately, while increasing the expression of genes related to the NRF2-mediated antioxidant pathway, such as NRF2 and HO-1, in H2O2-induced human fibroblast cells. Notably, rice bran and husk extracts could increase mRNA levels of HO-1 more greatly than the standard L-ascorbic acid, by about 1.29 and 1.07 times, respectively. Furthermore, the crude extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing nitric oxide production in both mouse macrophage and human fibroblast cells. Specifically, the bran and husk extracts inhibited the gene expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in LPS-induced inflammation in fibroblasts. Moreover, both extracts demonstrated potential for inhibiting melanin production and intracellular tyrosinase activity in human melanoma cells by decreasing the expression of the transcription factor MITF and the pigmentary genes TYR, TRP-1, and DCT. They also exhibit collagen-stimulating effects by reducing MMP-2 expression in H2O2-induced fibroblasts from 135% to 80% of the control, approximately, and increasing the gene associated with type I collagen production, COL1A1. Overall, the rice bran and husk extracts of Sang 5 CMU showed promise as effective natural ingredients for cosmetic applications.