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Volume 26
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10.3390/ijms26167716
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Article

Bridging Phytochemistry and Cosmetic Science: Molecular Insights into the Cosmeceutical Promise of Crotalaria juncea L.

by
Tanatchaporn Aree
1,
Siripat Chaichit
1,
Jintana Junlatat
2,
Kanokwan Kiattisin
1,* and
Aekkhaluck Intharuksa
1,*
1
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
2
Faculty of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani 34000, Thailand
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167716 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 12 July 2025 / Revised: 4 August 2025 / Accepted: 5 August 2025 / Published: 9 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Research on Plant Bioactive Compounds)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Crotalaria juncea L. (Fabaceae: Faboideae), traditionally used as green manure due to its nitrogen-fixing capacity, also exhibits therapeutic potential for conditions such as anemia and psoriasis. However, its cosmetic applications remain largely unexplored. This study examined the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of ethanolic extracts from the root, flower, and leaf of C. juncea, focusing on their potential use in cosmetic formulations. Soxhlet extraction with 95% ethanol was employed. Among the extracts, the leaf showed the highest total flavonoid content, while the root contained the highest total phenolic content. The root extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity, as assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and lipid peroxidation assays, along with significant anti-tyrosinase and anti-aging effects via collagenase and elastase inhibition. LC-MS/QTOF analysis identified genistein and kaempferol as the major bioactive constituents in the root extract. Molecular docking confirmed their strong interactions with enzymes associated with skin aging. Additionally, the root extract exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activity. These results suggest that C. juncea root extract is a promising multifunctional natural ingredient for cosmetic applications due to its antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Keywords: anti-aging; anti-inflammation; anti-oxidation; anti-tyrosinase; cosmetic; Fabaceae; flavonoids; molecular docking; skin; Sunn hemp anti-aging; anti-inflammation; anti-oxidation; anti-tyrosinase; cosmetic; Fabaceae; flavonoids; molecular docking; skin; Sunn hemp

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MDPI and ACS Style

Aree, T.; Chaichit, S.; Junlatat, J.; Kiattisin, K.; Intharuksa, A. Bridging Phytochemistry and Cosmetic Science: Molecular Insights into the Cosmeceutical Promise of Crotalaria juncea L. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 7716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167716

AMA Style

Aree T, Chaichit S, Junlatat J, Kiattisin K, Intharuksa A. Bridging Phytochemistry and Cosmetic Science: Molecular Insights into the Cosmeceutical Promise of Crotalaria juncea L. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(16):7716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167716

Chicago/Turabian Style

Aree, Tanatchaporn, Siripat Chaichit, Jintana Junlatat, Kanokwan Kiattisin, and Aekkhaluck Intharuksa. 2025. "Bridging Phytochemistry and Cosmetic Science: Molecular Insights into the Cosmeceutical Promise of Crotalaria juncea L." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 16: 7716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167716

APA Style

Aree, T., Chaichit, S., Junlatat, J., Kiattisin, K., & Intharuksa, A. (2025). Bridging Phytochemistry and Cosmetic Science: Molecular Insights into the Cosmeceutical Promise of Crotalaria juncea L. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(16), 7716. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167716

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