Antiphotoaging and anti-inflammatory effects of Malaysian brown seaweed Sargassum aquifolium: Cellular insights from HaCaT and RAW 264.7 models and metabolite profiling via LC-MS

Bioactive metabolites derived from algae are gaining popularity as safe and effective compounds for the development of new skincare products around the world. In this study, the cosmeceutical effects of Malaysian brown algae Sargassum aquifolium ( S. aquifolium ) extracts were investigated. The investigation began with phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activities. The anti-photoaging and anti-inflammation properties of S. aquifolium water and ethanol extracts were then tested against UVB-induced HaCaT keratinocytes and LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, respectively. S. aquifolium ethanol and water extracts are high in phenolic and flavonoid compounds and have high DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power activity. The ethanol extract was found to have remarkable anti-photoaging properties by downregulating COX-2 (1.2-fold) and MMP-1 (3.1-fold) expressions, as well as anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing iNOS via NO suppressions and inhibiting TNF-α (45%) and IL-6 secretion (98%). According to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis S. aquifolium ethanol extract also contains carbohydrates, lipids, carotenoids, terpenes, pigments, benzofuran, and phloroglucinol. In conclusion, bioactive metabolites isolated from S. aquifolium ethanol extract have been shown to exhibit improved antioxidant, antiphotoaging, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, suggesting that they could be used as a cosmeceutical agent.