Evaluation of the skin-improving effects of Artemisia fukudo Makino extract

Artemisia fukudo Makino cultivated, under general soil conditions, was evaluated for its skin-related functional activities to determine its potential as a functional cosmetic ingredient. The aerial parts of A. fukudo collected from Hampyeong, Jeollanam-do, were freeze-dried and extracted with hot water at 55°C. The resulting extract (Artemisia fukudo Makino extract, AFM-E) was assessed for in vitro whitening, anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle, and moisturizing activities. AFM-E inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, exhibiting a maximum inhibition rate of 52.59% at 100 μg/mL, suggesting a whitening effect by suppressing melanin synthesis. AFM-E also reduced nitric oxide (NO) production by up to 75.64% in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. In UV-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts, AFM-E suppressed matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression by up to 50.53%, implying anti-wrinkle potential via inhibition of collagen degradation. Furthermore, aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) expression increased by up to 119.01% in HaCaT keratinocytes, demonstrating moisturizing activity associated with skin hydration regulation. These findings indicate that cultivated A. fukudo possesses multifunctional properties, by simultaneously modulating key skin-related mechanisms, including melanin synthesis, inflammatory response, collagen degradation, and water homeostasis. The results support the potential of AFM-E as a functional cosmetic ingredient and provide a scientific basis for its further development.