Valente, João VascoOliveira, Rita Palmeira deGuiomar, LilianaVaz, CátiaRolo, JoanaGaspar, CarlosOliveira, Ana SofiaCaramelo, DéboraBreitenfeld, LuísaGonçalves, José CarlosDelgado, F.M.G.Oliveira, José MartinezOliveira, Ana Palmeira de2024-02-162024-02-162024VALENTE, João [et al.] (2023) - Humulus lupulus aqueous extract and hydrolate as a potential ingredient for cosmetics : chemical characterization and in vitro antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory assessment. Fitoterapia. DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.1058610367-326Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/8882Humulus lupulus extracts have in their composition different molecules, such aspolyphenols, α-acids, β -acids, and hydrocarbons, which contribute to the plant’s medicinal properties. These molecules are associated with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti - inflammatory activities. OBJECTIVE This work focuses on the evaluation of H. lupulus biological activities, with the aim of evaluating its potential for inclusion in cosmetic formulations. METHODS Two distinct aqueous extracts and two hydrolates obtained via hydrodistillation were evaluated. These include the flower parts (FE, FH) and the mix of aboveground parts (ME, MH). The chemical profiles for both aqueous extracts and hydrolates were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC -MS ). Antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity , and anti-inflammatory activity were tested in vitro using standard methods. RESULTS Rutin was the major compound found in FE (40.041 µg mg -1 of extract) and ME (2.909 µg mg -1 of extract), while humulenol II and was the most abundant compound in hydrolates (FH:20.83%; MH: 46.80%). Furthermore, FE was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis with MIC values of 50% and 25% (v/v), respectively. FH showed the same effect Staphylococcus aureus (50% v/v). FH evidenced poor antioxidant potential in DPPH scavenging test, it demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing (***p<0.001) intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO (nitric oxide) levels (***p<0.001) and cyclooxygenase -2 (COX-2) protein expression (***p<0.001) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -stimulated macrophages. Nevertheless, it is important to note that FH exhibited cytotoxicity at high concentrations in 3T3 fibroblasts and RAW macrophages. CONCLUSION The studied H. lupulus aqueous extracts and hydrolates revealed that FH stands out as the most promising bioactive source for cosmetic formulations. However, future research addressing antimicrobial activity is necessary to confirm its potential incorporation into dermatological and cosmetic formulations.engAnti -inflammatoryCosmeticsPlant-based compoundsWound healingpreprint2024-02-15cv-prod-381671510.1016/j.fitote.2024.105861