Systematic evaluation of smart-farm-grown Anthriscus sylvestris leaf extracts for antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities

Anthriscus sylvestris (wild chervil) leaf extracts represent a promising natural resource for cosmeceutical biotechnology applications. This study systematically evaluated polarity-based extracts, including hot water, 40%, 70%, and 100% ethanolic extracts, and an ethyl acetate fraction derived from the 70% ethanolic extract, for their bioactive potential in cosmeceutical development. High-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed abundant phenolic compounds and flavonoids, particularly in the ethyl acetate fraction and 70% ethanolic extract. These extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant activities in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline−6-sulfonic acid), and 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assays, and exhibited notable inhibitory effects against skin-relevant enzymes, including collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase. Cell viability assays showed selective cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells with minimal effects on normal fibroblasts. Western blot analysis revealed suppression of melanogenesis-related proteins (tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 and 2) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in treated melanoma cells. Chlorogenic acid, a major bioactive compound, exhibited similar protein suppression patterns. Molecular docking studies confirmed strong binding affinities of chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and cymaroside to target enzymes. These findings establish A. sylvestris leaf extracts, particularly the ethyl acetate fraction, as a multifunctional natural resource for developing cosmeceutical products with potent antioxidant and skin-whitening properties.