# Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Phenolic Compounds from the Sargassum pallidum and Development of Their Stable Emulsion and Cream

## TL;DR

This study explores the anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols from Sargassum pallidum and their use in skincare products.

## Contribution

The first evaluation of Sargassum pallidum polyphenols' anti-inflammatory activity and their successful formulation into cosmetic products.

## Key findings

- SPP significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in cells.
- SPP was successfully incorporated into emulsions and creams with skincare benefits.
- SPP formulations showed significant improvements in multiple skin parameters.

## Abstract

Skin disorders associated with persistent inflammation, often triggered by environmental pollution and ultraviolet (UV) exposure, are becoming increasingly prevalent. In response, natural active compounds are being widely explored for the development of effective skincare products. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenols extracted from Sargassum pallidum (SPP) was evaluated for the first time. SPP significantly attenuated oxidative stress and reduced the expression of inflammatory markers in cells. Furthermore, SPP was successfully incorporated into emulsion and cream formulations, which demonstrated improvements across multiple skin parameters. These findings indicate that SPP is a promising natural active ingredient with potential applications in the cosmetic industry.

Chronic inflammation poses a significant threat to physical health. The increasing prevalence of skin disorders is attributed to external factors such as environmental pollution and UV-induced stress. To address damaged skin, the cosmetic market increasingly favors the development of effective products containing natural active compounds. This study constitutes the initial examination of the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols extracted from Sargassum pallidum. The experimental results demonstrated that SPP significantly reduced intracellular levels of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and multiple inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, SPP exhibited an inhibitory effect on the mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes: compared to the control group, the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2 decreased by 4.94 ± 0.72-fold, 113.64 ± 27.46-fold, 1.40 ± 0.21-fold, 11.68 ± 3.90-fold, and 0.47 ± 0.11-fold, respectively (data presented as mean ± SD, * p < 0.05). SPP was incorporated into cosmetic formulations as a natural active ingredient to create emulsions and creams. Upon assessment of various skin parameters, these formulations demonstrated significant skincare benefits. In conclusion, SPP exhibits promising anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential natural active ingredient for applications in cosmetics.