Antioxidant And Antiaging Potentials of Justicia Gendarussa Leaf and Root Methanolic Extracts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56532/mjsat.v6iS1.798Keywords:
Skin aging, Antioxidant, Justicia gendarussa, Tyrosinase, CollagenaseAbstract
Premature and accelerated skin aging is a complex skin complication affecting millions worldwide. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes reactive oxygen species accumulation that promotes premature skin aging. Topical skincare application is a common therapeutic method but may contain dangerous chemicals. Thus, plant-based skin products are gaining prominence among consumers. Justicia gendarussa is a local plant traditionally used to treat multiple conditions. However, the antiaging property of this plant is still unclear. The aim of this study was to extract phytochemicals from the leaf and root of J. gendarussa and assess their antioxidant and antiaging potentials. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were measured using colorimetric assays. DPPH radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition assays were used to determine the antioxidant and antiaging properties of the extracts. J. gendarussa leaf (JGL) extract showed a higher TPC value but slightly lower TFC value than the root (JGR) extract. Both extracts showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activities with maximum inhibitions of about 40% at 0.5 mg/ml concentration. The leaf extract demonstrated higher (47%) anti-tyrosinase activity than the root extract (37%). Both extracts showed low anti-collagenase activities. Nonetheless, this study suggests J. gendarussa possesses antioxidant and antiaging properties and highlights its potential application in developing novel natural-based skincare formulations.
References
F. Debacq-Chainiaux, C. Leduc, A. Verbeke, and O. Toussaint, "UV, stress and aging," Dermato-Endocrinology, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 236-240, 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.23652
R. S. Hussein, S. Bin Dayel, O. Abahussein, and A. A. El-Sherbiny, "Influences on Skin and Intrinsic Aging: Biological, Environmental, and Therapeutic Insights," J Cosmet Dermatol, vol. 24, no. 2, p. e16688, Feb 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16688
M. Wei, X. He, N. Liu, and H. Deng, "Role of reactive oxygen species in ultraviolet-induced photodamage of the skin," Cell Division, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13008-024-00107-z
H. Y. Peng, C. C. Lin, H. Y. Wang, Y. Shih, and S. T. Chou, "The melanogenesis alteration effects of Achillea millefolium L. essential oil and linalyl acetate: involvement of oxidative stress and the JNK and ERK signaling pathways in melanoma cells," PLoS One, vol. 9, no. 4, p. e95186, 2014, doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095186
C. Feng, X. Chen, X. Yin, Y. Jiang, and C. Zhao, "Matrix Metalloproteinases on Skin Photoaging," J Cosmet Dermatol, vol. 23, no. 12, pp. 3847-3862, Dec 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16558
V. A. Putri, Zulharmita, R. Asra, and B. Chandra, "Overview of Phytochemical and Pharmacological of Gandarussa Extract (Justicia Gendarussa Burm)," EAS Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 180-185, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.36349/easjpp.2020.v02i05.003
M. R. B. Carneiro, L. O. Sallum, J. L. R. Martins, J. d. C. Peixoto, H. B. Napolitano, and L. P. Rosseto, "Overview of the Justicia Genus: Insights into Its Chemical Diversity and Biological Potential," Molecules, vol. 28, no. 3, 2023, Art no. 1190, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031190
S. Chandra and D. Lo, "A review on the bioactivities of Justicia gendarussa," IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, vol. 794, no. 1, 2021, Art no. 012137, doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/794/1/012137
P. Kumaresh and H. R. Chowdhury, "Phytochemical and Antioxidant Studies of Justicia gendarussa burm. F: An Ethnomedicinal Plant," International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences And Research, vol. 6, no. 8, p. 9, 26 April, 2015 2015, doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(8).3454-62.
K. L. Krishna, K. Mruthunjay, and J. A. Patel, "Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Leaf Extract of Justicia gendarussa Burm," International Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 99-110, 2009, doi: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijbc.2009.99.110
S. Patel and M. Zaveri, "Collagenase Inhibitory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Leaf of Justicia gendarussa," World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1382-1389., 01/01 2016.
F. N. A. Anuar, M. A. S. Zamri, S. A. Kamaruddin, S. E. Syafruddin, and A. S. Khazali, "Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Anti-Collagenase Properties of Elephantopus scaber Leaf and Root Extracts," Science Letters, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 78-90, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.24191/scl.v19i2.6905
A. Jayshree and J. Rakesh Kumar, "Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activity of Aerial Part of Justicia gendarussa," Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, vol. 12, no. 3, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.61280/tjpls.v12i3.188
N. Marliani, I. M. Artika, M. Rafi, M. Syukur, R. Y. Galingging, and W. Nurcholis, "Phenolic and flavonoid content with agro morphological characters of 12 accessions of Justica gendarussa grew in Indonesia," Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, vol. 23, no. 10, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d231017
B. John, V. Reddy, and S. C T, "Total Phenolics and Flavonoids in Selected Justicia Species," Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, vol. 2, pp. 51-52, 01/01 2013.
S. Rafael, I. M. Artika, and W. Nurcholis, "Antioxidant activity and inhibition of α-glucosidase from extract and fraction of leaves and stems of Vernonia amygdalina," International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 274-284, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.11591/ijaas.v12.i3.pp274-284
L. Wang, M. Chen, P. Y. Lam, F. Dini-Andreote, L. Dai, and Z. Wei, "Multifaceted roles of flavonoids mediating plant-microbe interactions," Microbiome, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 233, Dec 16 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-022-01420-x
A. Perez-Galvez, I. Viera, and M. Roca, "Carotenoids and Chlorophylls as Antioxidants," Antioxidants (Basel), vol. 9, no. 6, Jun 9 2020, Art no. 505, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9060505
S. Mukherjee et al., "Evaluation of free-radical quenching properties of standard Ayurvedic formulation Vayasthapana Rasayana," BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-38
A. Basit et al., "New mechanistic insights on Justicia vahlii Roth: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and GC–MS based metabolomics, in-vivo, in-silico toxicological, antioxidant based anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibition evaluation," Arabian Journal of Chemistry, vol. 15, no. 10, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104135
Ł. Świątek et al., "Chemical Characterization of Different Extracts of Justicia secunda Vahl and Determination of Their Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Enzymatic, Anti-Viral, and Cytotoxic Properties," Antioxidants, vol. 12, no. 2, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020509
S. Dinengsih, N. Nurdiana, S. Winarsih, B. Raharjo, and A. Endharti, "In silico approaches of gandarusa (Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.) potential for osteoporosis prevention via EGF pathway," Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research, vol. 12, pp. 439-452, 05/01 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres23.1781_12.3.439
W. Li, H. Tian, F. Guo, and Y. Wu, "Inhibition characteristics and mechanism of tyrosinase using five citrus flavonoids: A spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation study," Journal of Food Biochemistry, vol. 46, no. 12, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14484
M. Shin et al., "Investigation of phenyllactic acid as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor produced by probiotics," Current Research in Food Science, vol. 6, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2022.100413
X. Wang et al., "Effect of phytol isolated from edible red alga (Bangia fusco-purpurea) on tyrosinase inhibition and its application on food preservation," Lwt, vol. 185, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115146
M. R. Uddin, S. Sinha, M. Hossain, M. Kaisar, M. Hossain, and M. Rashid, "Chemical and Biological Investigations of Justicia gendarussa (Burm. f)," Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 10, pp. 53-57, 01/01 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.3329/dujps.v10i1.10016
M. Gallo, b. Miranda, and J. Sarachine, "Biological Activities of Lupeol," International Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 3, pp. 46-66, 10/01 2009.
N. R. Han, H. J. Park, S. G. Ko, and P. D. Moon, "Stigmasterol Exerts an Anti-Melanoma Property through Down-Regulation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 in Melanoma Cells," Antioxidants (Basel), vol. 13, no. 3, Mar 21 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030380
S. Kinari, E. Girsang, A. N. Nasution, and I. N. E. Lister, "Antioxidant and Anti-Collagenase Effectivity of Red Dragon Fruit Peel and Kaempferol 3-0-Rutinoside," American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 244-251, 2019.
C. T. Supuran and A. Scozzafava, "Protease inhibitors. Part 7," European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 67-76, 2000, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0928-0987(99)00090-1
W. Widowati et al., "Anti-aging Effects of Mangosteen Peel Extract and Its Phytochemical Compounds: Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibition and Molecular Docking Simulation," Tropical Life Sciences Research, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 127-144, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.21315/tlsr2020.31.3.9
J. H. Lee, H. Y. Zhou, S. Y. Cho, Y. S. Kim, Y. S. Lee, and C. S. Jeong, "Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of apigenin: inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, adhesion of monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and expression of cellular adhesion molecules," Arch Pharm Res, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 1318-27, Oct 2007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02980273
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Nasrul Ahmad, Ainis Shatirah Bulkini, Sharir Aizat Kamaruddin, Nurshamimi Nor Rashid, Saiful Effendi Syafruddin, Ahmad Suhail Khazali

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
