Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and In Vitro Efficacy of Actaea heracleifolia Root Extract

Purpose: This study investigated the potential of Actaea heracleifolia root extract as a functional natural material by analyzing its effects on antioxidant and anti-bacterial effect activity; polyphenol and flavonoid content; cytotoxicity; and nitric oxide (NO), elastase, and human matrix metalloproteinase-1 (hMMP-1) production. Methods: Dried A. heracleifolia roots were ground, extracted with methanol, and freeze-dried. Various assessments were conducted, including assessments of free radical scavenging, polyphenol and flavonoid content, Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibition, cell viability, and inflammatory cytokine production. Results: The ABTS and DPPH scavenging activities of the extract at 5,000 μg/mL were 99.6% and 94.2%, respectively. The total polyphenol and flavonoid levels were 92.3 and 3.5 mg/g extract, respectively. The extract inhibited S. aureus growth by 43.5% at 1,000 μg/mL. No cytotoxicity was observed in RAW 264.7 cells. At 100 μg/mL, the extract reduced TNF-α expression by 55.3%, and NO production was almost completely suppressed. Elastase production was reduced by 43.0% at 1,000 μg/mL, and the extract at 100 μg/mL decreased hMMP-1 expression in HDF cells by 89.1%. Conclusion: Based on its biological activities, A. heracleifolia root extract exhibits promise as functional natural material.