Research on Skin Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Konjac Extract

Objective To explore the protective effects of ethanol extract of Amorphophallus konjac on the skin and verify whether konjac is suitable for developing functional raw materials for cosmetics. Methods Experiments were conducted to evaluate the moisture absorption, moisture retention, in vitro antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity, photoprotective effect on HaCaT cells, and melanin inhibition effect of konjac. All experimental data were systematically statistically analyzed. Results The hygroscopicity was measured by the method of controlling humidity through a dryer: hyaluronic acid>konjac>chitosan; the moisturizing property ( 48h) : konjac>chitosan≈hyaluronic acid; the in vitro antioxidant experiment showed that the DPPH scavenging rate of konjac ethanol extract wasl 80%, which was significantly higher than that of Vitamin E; Konjac ethanol extract was non-toxic to HaCaT cells and could significantly repair UV-induced cell damage and increase cell survival rate; Konjac ethanol extract significantly inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells. Conclusion The konjac ethanol extract exhibits multiple skin-protective effects such as low toxicity, long-lasting moisturization, antioxidant activity, excellent photoprotection and skin whitening. It is suitable for the development of functional raw materials in cosmetics.