Inhibition of UV-induced ROS and collagen damage by Phyllanthus emblica extract in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

J Cosmet Sci 62(1):49-56 (2011) PMID 21443845

As a part of ongoing research for novel natural cosmeceutical actives from plant extracts, this study demonstrates that Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract has shown its efficacy in protection against ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collagen damage in normal human dermal fibroblasts. At a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, emblica extract showed a significant response of 9.5 ± 0.28-fold protection from UVB induced-collagen damage as compared to untreated cells. A known active, ascorbic acid, at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml, showed 3.7 ± 0.07-fold protection from UVB-induced collagen damage. While the untreated cells showed 84 ± 1.4% induction in ROS on UVB irradiation as compared to the non-irradiated cells, emblica extract treatment inhibited the induction of ROS to 15 ± 4% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Ascorbic acid inhibited the induction in ROS to 64 ± 2% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Emblica extract is a significantly better natural active, with promising cosmeceutical benefits against photoaging.