Investigating the biological activities of Sapindus mukorossi seed hydrosol and its potential as a skincare ingredient

The aim of this study was to investigate notable biological activities and medical applications of Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) seed hydrosol in wound healing. In this study, S. mukorossi hydrosol (SMH) was prepared and tested for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue repair activity. Phytochemical analysis using GC-MS revealed SMH to contain two bioactive components, benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP). Antibacterial testing showed that SMH powder diluted with water at a ratio of 1:2 (SMH 1:2) reduced S. aureus colony counts by 60% (p < 0.05). In vitro viability assays on CCD-966SK fibroblasts demonstrated enhanced cell survival under serum-free conditions, with SMH 1:2 yielding the most sustained effects. Scratch assays confirmed that SMH 1:2 promoted fibroblast migration and significantly accelerated wound closure at 24 and 48 h (p < 0.05). Anti-inflammatory testing showed that SMH 1:2 reduced LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.01). In vivo wound healing in rats indicated that SMH 1:2 improved epithelial recovery, resulting in significantly smaller wound areas compared to control on day 14 (8.25% ± 3.85% vs. 14.04% ± 3.50%, p < 0.05). Histological examination confirmed enhanced re-epithelialization in SMH-treated wounds. These findings indicate that S. mukorossi hydrosol holds promise as both a wound-healing agent and an ingredient for use in skincare product development.