Cosmeceutical Effects of Galactomannan Fraction from Arenga pinnata Fruits In vitro

Background: Cosmeceuticals refer to natural cosmetics with medical‑like benefits due to their bioactive contents. Sugar palm fruit (Arenga pinnata) extract has been claimed for its anti‑aging effect in vitro. However, its active compounds for cosmeceuticals is still unclear. Objective: This study was aimed to extract galactomannan from A. pinnata fruits and test its efficacy for tyrosinase inhibition, antioxidant, and anti‑photoaging activities in vitro. Materials and Methods: Galactomannan from A. pinnata fruits was extracted by freeze drying and identified for its chemical compounds by using pyrolysis gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (py‑GC/ MS). Galactomannan was tested for its tyrosinase inhibition in both cell‑based (melanocytes) and enzymatic assays, antioxidant activity using ferrous ion chelating assay (FCA) assay, and anti‑photoaging activity for inhibiting the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑1 (MMP‑1) and MMP‑13 in macrophages using quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‑PCR) analysis. Results: Identification of galactomannan fraction from A. pinnata fruits by py‑GC/MS mainly consisted of oxonium ion and glucosides. For cellular assay, galactomannan at 5 μg/ mL inhibited >50% of tyrosinase activity in melanocytes induced by phorbol myristate acetate. At the enzymatic level, galactomannan at similar concentration showed less tyrosinase activity inhibition (~20%). FCA results showed that galactomannan at 10 μg/mL exerted >50% of antioxidant activity. The qRT‑PCR data indicated that galactomannan at 5 μg/mL inhibited >50% of MMP‑1 and MMP‑13 gene expressions in ultraviolet B‑treated macrophages. Conclusion: Galactomannan fraction from A. pinnata fruits has efficacy for enlightening effect, antioxidant, and anti‑photoaging activity in the dose‑independent pattern, indicating its cosmeceutical effects for skin healthcare.