Abstract
In this study, we collected fruit of Litsea cubeba and extracted its essential oil. Analysis indicated that citral was the main ingredient. Upon gel permeation column purification of the essential oil, we found that the citral-containing subfraction showed excellent anti-inflammation activity. Regarding the antiinflammation activity, citral has significant suppressive action against ROS etc. Furthermore, in a dermatological test, citral was not toxic or harmful toward skin cells. Additionally, citral at 15625 μg/ml concentration was found to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase with a suppressivity of more than 50%, thus it promotes skin whitening and prevention of wrinkling. Compared to a well-known such agent, kojic acid, we found that citral was superior to kojic acid. Then we applied our citral-containing moisturizing crème (formula withheld) in a skin wrinkle-prevention activity test, we found that addition of a Litsea cubeba active ingredient could result in a younger, smoother skin appearance. Based on these trial results, we are confident that incorporating the active ingredient of Litsea cubeba, citral, in several functional cosmetic agents such as an antibacterial hand lotion, and a skin-revival ankle crème will result in successful commercial products. As the consequence, we’ve already applied for technical transfer of the know-how to a cosmetic producer.