Camellia japonica is a plant species belonging to the Theaceae family; it is widespread in Asia. Although Camellia sinensis (tea) is one of the best-known species, C. japonica is scarcely known beyond its current ornamental value. However, C. japonica is recorded to have been used in traditional medicine, indicating its potential health benefits. The increasing population and demand for natural products has necessitated the investigation of potential bioactive constituents of such plants, which in many cases, has been correlated with their antioxidant properties. In this work, screening was performed on the potential of extracts obtained from C. japonica leaves as a source of natural antioxidant compounds. Antioxidant activity was determined in vitro by testing their radical scavenging activity against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)]. Total phenolic content (TPC) was measured as gallic acid equivalents (mg GAE/g) in accordance with previously established protocols. The results showed an IC50 value of 23.74 µg/mL for both DPPH and ABTS tests. TPC was measured as 36.67 mg GAE/g dry weight. These findings indicate that C. japonica leaves may have significant antioxidant activity, which can be related to their TPC. Further investigation of the phytochemical content and bioactivities of this matrix is required for its evaluation in health-related applications such as functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

References

Christodouleas, D. C., Fotakis, C., Nikokavoura, A., Papadopoulos, K., & Calokerinos, A. C. (2015). Modified DPPH and ABTS Assays to Assess the Antioxidant Profile of Untreated Oils. Food Analytical Methods, 8(5), 1294–1302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-014-0005-6

Genwali, G. R., Acharya, P. P., & Rajbhandari, M. (2013). Isolation of Gallic Acid and Estimation of Total Phenolic Content in Some Medicinal Plants and Their Antioxidant Activity. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 14(1), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i1.8928

The cosmetic industry's growing demand for effective antioxidants has spurred extensive research into novel compounds. This study explores the potential of 2-pyrazoline methanone derivatives as antioxidant agents for cosmetic applications using advanced computational methods. The designed 2D structures of 2-pyrazoline methanone derivatives were created using ChemDraw and optimized in 3D using Spartan14 software. Human erythrocyte catalase (PDB ID: 1DGB) was prepared for molecular docking simulations conducted with AutoDock Vina. Theoretical oral bioavailability was assessed using Lipinski's rule of five, which indicated that all designed compounds adhered to the criteria for good bioavailability. Post-docking analysis was performed using Biovia Discovery Studio to evaluate binding affinities and interactions. The designed compounds demonstrated favorable theoretical oral bioavailability, adhering to Lipinski's rule of five. Molecular docking simulations revealed significant binding affinities between the novel compounds and Human erythrocyte catalase, with binding energies comparable to the co-crystallized ligand (HEM). Specific interaction types, including hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, were identified through post-docking analysis, highlighting the stability of these interactions. The promising binding affinities and interactions observed suggest that these 2-pyrazoline methanone derivatives could effectively target the antioxidant defense system, potentially enhancing catalase activity and overall skin protection. The computational approach employed aligns with current trends in cosmetic science, demonstrating the power of in silico methods in accelerating the discovery of new cosmetic ingredients. This study highlights the potential of novel 2-pyrazoline methanone derivatives as effective antioxidant agents for cosmetic applications. While the in silico results are encouraging, further experimental validation is necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of these compounds in biological systems, paving the way for future research in this area.