Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties

<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> (kratom) is a traditional medicinal plant rich in bioactive alkaloids and phenolics, known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This study aimed to develop nanoparticle-based topical gels from ethanolic extracts of four kratom varieties, including Ka...

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Main Authors: Pimporn Anantaworasakul, Weeraya Preedalikit, Phunsuk Anantaworasakul, Sudarshan Singh, Aekkhaluck Intharuksa, Warunya Arunotayanun, Mingkwan Na Takuathung, Songwut Yotsawimonwat, Chuda Chittasupho
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/494
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author Pimporn Anantaworasakul
Weeraya Preedalikit
Phunsuk Anantaworasakul
Sudarshan Singh
Aekkhaluck Intharuksa
Warunya Arunotayanun
Mingkwan Na Takuathung
Songwut Yotsawimonwat
Chuda Chittasupho
author_facet Pimporn Anantaworasakul
Weeraya Preedalikit
Phunsuk Anantaworasakul
Sudarshan Singh
Aekkhaluck Intharuksa
Warunya Arunotayanun
Mingkwan Na Takuathung
Songwut Yotsawimonwat
Chuda Chittasupho
author_sort Pimporn Anantaworasakul
collection DOAJ
description <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> (kratom) is a traditional medicinal plant rich in bioactive alkaloids and phenolics, known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This study aimed to develop nanoparticle-based topical gels from ethanolic extracts of four kratom varieties, including Kan Daeng (KD), Hang Kang (HK), Tai Bai-yao (KY), and Kan Keaw (KG). Kratom NPs were prepared using a solvent displacement method. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited sizes of 201.9–256.2 nm, polydispersity indices (PDI) below 0.3, and a zeta potential between −22.6 and −29.6 mV. The phytochemical analysis revealed that KG and KY extracts contained the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), which were mostly retained after NP formulation. The HPLC analysis confirmed HK as the richest source of mitragynine (9.97 ± 0.10% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), while NP formulations displayed slightly reduced levels. Antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays revealed enhanced radical scavenging in nanoparticle formulations, with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 151.23 to 199.87 µg/mL (DPPH) and 207.37 to 272.83 µg/mL (ABTS). All formulations exhibited a significant inhibition of collagenase (80.56 ± 1.60 to 97.23 ± 0.29%), elastase (45.46 ± 6.53 to 52.19 ± 1.20%), and hyaluronidase (83.23 ± 2.34 to 91.67 ± 3.56%), with nanoparticle forms showing superior enzyme inhibition. Notably, nanoparticle formulations exhibited superior inhibitory effects compared to crude extracts. HaCaT cytotoxicity tests confirmed high biocompatibility (IC<sub>50</sub> > 700 µg/mL), especially for KD and KG NPs. The NP-loaded gels demonstrated acceptable physicochemical stability after heating/cooling cycle testing, with pH (7.27 to 7.88), viscosity (10.719 to 12.602 Pa·s), and favorable visual and textural properties. In summary, KG and KY cultivars emerged as the most promising cosmeceutical candidates due to their superior phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, enzyme-inhibitory activities, and formulation performance. These findings support the potential use of KG NP and KY NP-loaded gels as multifunctional cosmeceutical agents for antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and skin rejuvenation.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2310-2861
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Gels
spelling doaj-art-b19d3585de3c49c7a2e8cfa6afa70ced2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-06-0111749410.3390/gels11070494Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> VarietiesPimporn Anantaworasakul0Weeraya Preedalikit1Phunsuk Anantaworasakul2Sudarshan Singh3Aekkhaluck Intharuksa4Warunya Arunotayanun5Mingkwan Na Takuathung6Songwut Yotsawimonwat7Chuda Chittasupho8Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandDepartment of Cosmetic Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, ThailandRegional Medical Sciences Center 2 Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok 65000, ThailandFaculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandFaculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandKanchanabhishek Institute of Medical and Public Health Technology, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Science, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Nonthaburi 11150, ThailandDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandFaculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandFaculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> (kratom) is a traditional medicinal plant rich in bioactive alkaloids and phenolics, known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This study aimed to develop nanoparticle-based topical gels from ethanolic extracts of four kratom varieties, including Kan Daeng (KD), Hang Kang (HK), Tai Bai-yao (KY), and Kan Keaw (KG). Kratom NPs were prepared using a solvent displacement method. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited sizes of 201.9–256.2 nm, polydispersity indices (PDI) below 0.3, and a zeta potential between −22.6 and −29.6 mV. The phytochemical analysis revealed that KG and KY extracts contained the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), which were mostly retained after NP formulation. The HPLC analysis confirmed HK as the richest source of mitragynine (9.97 ± 0.10% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>), while NP formulations displayed slightly reduced levels. Antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays revealed enhanced radical scavenging in nanoparticle formulations, with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 151.23 to 199.87 µg/mL (DPPH) and 207.37 to 272.83 µg/mL (ABTS). All formulations exhibited a significant inhibition of collagenase (80.56 ± 1.60 to 97.23 ± 0.29%), elastase (45.46 ± 6.53 to 52.19 ± 1.20%), and hyaluronidase (83.23 ± 2.34 to 91.67 ± 3.56%), with nanoparticle forms showing superior enzyme inhibition. Notably, nanoparticle formulations exhibited superior inhibitory effects compared to crude extracts. HaCaT cytotoxicity tests confirmed high biocompatibility (IC<sub>50</sub> > 700 µg/mL), especially for KD and KG NPs. The NP-loaded gels demonstrated acceptable physicochemical stability after heating/cooling cycle testing, with pH (7.27 to 7.88), viscosity (10.719 to 12.602 Pa·s), and favorable visual and textural properties. In summary, KG and KY cultivars emerged as the most promising cosmeceutical candidates due to their superior phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, enzyme-inhibitory activities, and formulation performance. These findings support the potential use of KG NP and KY NP-loaded gels as multifunctional cosmeceutical agents for antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and skin rejuvenation.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/494topical gelpoloxamer micellesantioxidant activityanti-aging activitycosmeceutical formulation
spellingShingle Pimporn Anantaworasakul
Weeraya Preedalikit
Phunsuk Anantaworasakul
Sudarshan Singh
Aekkhaluck Intharuksa
Warunya Arunotayanun
Mingkwan Na Takuathung
Songwut Yotsawimonwat
Chuda Chittasupho
Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
Gels
topical gel
poloxamer micelles
antioxidant activity
anti-aging activity
cosmeceutical formulation
title Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
title_full Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
title_fullStr Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
title_short Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivities, and Nanoparticle-Based Topical Gel Formulation Development from Four <i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Varieties
title_sort phytochemical characterization bioactivities and nanoparticle based topical gel formulation development from four i mitragyna speciosa i varieties
topic topical gel
poloxamer micelles
antioxidant activity
anti-aging activity
cosmeceutical formulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/7/494
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