Chemical profile, antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity, and dual enzymatic inhibition of Sloanea medusula K.Schum. & Pittier leaves for cosmeceutical applications

This study aimed to evaluate the skin-beneficial properties of the ethanol extract from S. medusula, a tree native to Central America. The leaves of this species were collected in the Colombian Chocó region, where the plant is traditionally used to treat intestinal disorders. The extract was characterized using phytochemical screening and UV-Visible spectrophotometry, followed by precise identification and quantification of 22 phytocompounds through UHPLC-ESI ± Orbitrap-HRMS analysis. Notably, high concentrations of Catechin (3,127.8 mg/Kg), Quercetin (57.4 mg/Kg), Ursolic acid (31.4 mg/Kg), and p-Coumaric acid (23.0 mg/Kg) were identified, compounds well-known for their antioxidant properties and anti-aging. The FRAP, H-ORAC, and DPPH assays demonstrated a strong reducing power and effective free radical scavenging capacity of the extract, demonstrating protective effects against oxidative stress. Enzymatic inhibition assays evaluated at 0.250 mg/mL demonstrated significant elastase inhibition (98.86%) and moderate tyrosinase inhibition (80.79%), indicating potential anti-aging and skin-lightening effects. Cytotoxicity assessment on HaCaT cells revealed no toxic effects at high concentrations of the extract, while low doses (2.9 µg/mL) promoted cell proliferation, suggesting potential regenerative properties. These findings highlight S. medusula extract as a promising candidate for natural cosmeceutical applications aimed at cellular protection, skin regeneration, and mitigation of aging and hyperpigmentation.