In Vitro Cytoprotective Study of Litsea oppositifolia Stem Extract Against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress on HaCaT Cells

Abstract

Skin aging is an inevitable natural process in which the skin undergoes changes due to exogenous factors (UV, pollutants, and toxins) and endogenous factors (genetic mutation, metabolism, and hormones). Due to the nature of the process, the demand for anti-aging cosmetic products has increased, rendering the need for alternatives to develop more anti-ageing products. One factor that promotes aging is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can result in oxidative stress. To counteract this phenomenon, antioxidant products can be used. Botanical plants are rich sources of antioxidants. One of the plants that exert antioxidant activity is the Litsea genus, whereby several species from this genus have been recognized for their antioxidant effect. In this study, Litsea oppositifolia stem extract, which is a species of Litsea genus that has not been studied for its antioxidant property. Therefore, this experiment aims to study the protective effects of the Litsea oppositifolia stem extract on HaCaT cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. First, cytotoxicity assay was performed on the extract to determine the toxic concentrations of the compounds, followed by cell viability measurements via MTT assay. A cytoprotective assay was also performed to test the protective capability of the extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced damage, wherein the cell viability of the samples was also measured with MTT assay. In this experiment, it was discovered that the Litsea oppositifolia stem extract showed protective effects at concentrations of 12.5 ppm and 25 ppm and slight protective ability at the concentration 50 ppm. The findings from this experiment suggested that the Litsea oppositifolia stem extract can be used as a natural source of antioxidant.