Achillea millefolium L. and Achillea biebersteinii Afan. Hydroglycolic Extracts–Bioactive Ingredients for Cosmetic Use

Abstract

Studies on hydroglycolic (HG) extracts of <i>Achillea biebersteinii</i> (AB)-a less investigated representative of the genus-were performed to determine their potential for cosmetic applications compared to the well-known <i>Achillea millefolium</i> (AM). Three types of water:polyethylene glycol extracts (1:1, 4:1, 6:1 <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) were obtained from both species and analyzed for their composition by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) and assayed for their biological activities. The study led to the identification of 11 metabolites from different natural product classes with the highest share corresponding to 5-caffeoylquinic acid, axillarin, coumaroylquinic acid isomers and 3-caffeoylquinic acid. The highest antiradical capacity in DPPH and ABTS scavenging assays was shown for HG 4:1 of AB and AM extracts. HG 1:1 extracts from both species inhibited monophenolase and diphenolase activity of tyrosinase, whereas AB HG 4:1 extract showed significant monophenolase inhibition. The highest sun protection factor (SPF) was determined for AM HG 4:1 extract, equal to 14.04 ± 0.17. The AB extracts were cytotoxic for both human keratinocytes HaCaT and A375 melanoma, however HG 1:1 and 4:1 extracts were more cytotoxic for cancer than for noncancerous cells. In conclusion, AB HG 1:1 and 4:1 extracts display significant potential as active cosmetic ingredients.