TWI835432B - USE OF LONGAN FLOWER EXTRACT FOR INHIBITION OF β-GALACTOSIDASE ACTIVITY OF STEM CELL AND PROMOTING SKIN HEALTH - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a use of longan flower extract for inhibition of -galactosidase activity of stem cells and promoting skin health , wherein the longan flower extract is prepared by extracting a longan flower with a solvent, and the solvent is water, alcohol, an alcohol-water mixture or a combination thereof. The longan flower extract of the present disclosure has the activity of inhibiting the

Description

Longan flower extract is used to inhibit the β-galactosidase activity of stem cells and for skin health care.

The invention relates to a longan flower extract used to inhibit stem cells. -Galactosidase activity and skin health benefits.

Longan ( Dimocarpus longans Lour. ) is an evergreen tree plant of the genus Dimocarpus in the Sapindaceae family. Taiwan is one of the major longan production and research countries in the world. According to statistics from the Council of Agriculture, the cultivation of longan in Taiwan was in 109 The area is 10,612 hectares and the production is 64,543 metric tons. The production season of longan flowers is from March to April every year. Because of its special longan aroma, with a slightly sweet and astringent taste, it is often consumed in the form of scented tea or tea bags.

Over time, factors such as environmental stimulation, free radicals, oxidation and stress may cause cells to age, stop proliferation or grow stagnant. When senescent cells accumulate in the body, they may cause tissue aging or disease, resulting in the loss of original functionality. -Galactosidase( -galactosidase) only exists in aging cells and is currently the most widely used substance to calibrate cell aging. Therefore, many studies evaluate raw materials with anti-aging functional potential by analyzing galactosidase in cells.

Stem cell aging is an irreversible physiological phenomenon. Over time and the environment, stem cells may age, stop proliferating, or cause growth stasis due to stress response. When aging stem cells accumulate in the body, they may cause tissue aging or disease and a decrease in the body's regeneration and repair capabilities. .

Skin tissue is composed of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The dermis contains a large amount of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which is closely related to the water retention and elasticity of the skin. As human skin ages, physiological factors, or environmental factors, dermal collagen decreases, elastic fibers degenerate, and break, resulting in reduced skin tension and elasticity, leading to aging, rough skin, or wrinkles.

Maintaining the elasticity of skin and blood vessels mainly relies on collagen and elastin. Collagen is like the scaffold of the skin, and elastin is like the lock in the scaffold, which is a key factor in supporting the elasticity of the skin and blood vessels. Loss of elastin can lead to adverse effects such as skin aging, cardiovascular disease and lung damage. Among them, exposure to viruses and bacteria, or smoke damage will increase the activity of elastase, eventually leading to skin laxity, lung collapse or fibrosis.

However, currently few natural plant extracts are used to solve the above problems (including stem cell inhibition). -Galactosidase activity and skin care) pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions or external product compositions. In order to solve the above problems, those skilled in the art urgently need to develop products with skin health care and stem cell inhibition. -Novel pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions or external product compositions based on galactosidase activity to benefit the vast number of people in need.

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a longan flower extract for preparing a stem cell-inhibiting agent. - The use of a composition with galactosidase activity and skin health care, wherein the longan flower extract is prepared by extracting a longan flower with a solvent, and the solvent is water, alcohol, alcohol-water mixture, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the longan flower extract inhibits the growth of stem cells. -The effective concentration of galactosidase activity is 31.25 g/mL~62.5 g/mL.

In one embodiment of the invention, the skin care system inhibits the activity of elastase.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the effective concentration of the longan flower extract for inhibiting the activity of elastase is 5 mg/mL~10 mg/mL.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the longan flower extract has the activity of inhibiting the early glycation products of collagen, the activity of inhibiting the intermediate glycation products of collagen, or the activity of inhibiting advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) of collagen. .

In one embodiment of the present invention, the effective concentration of the longan flower extract in inhibiting the activity of collagen glycation products is 0.5 g/mL~10 g/mL.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the longan flower is further hydrolyzed with a complex cellulose enzyme before being extracted with the solvent.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or a topical product composition.

In one embodiment of the invention, the composition further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or an edible material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition has a powder, granule, solution, gel, or paste dosage form.

To sum up, the effect of the longan flower extract of the present invention is: it has the ability to inhibit stem cells. -Galactosidase activity and skin health care function. The skin health care function is to inhibit the activity of elastase or inhibit the glycation of collagen.

The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below. The examples listed below are used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Anyone familiar with this art can, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, Some modifications and modifications may be made, so the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended patent application scope.

definition

The numerical values used in this article are approximate, and all experimental data are expressed within the range of 20%, preferably within the range of 10%, and optimally within the range of 5%.

Unless otherwise indicated in the context, "a", "the" and similar terms used in this specification (especially in the following patent application scope) shall be understood to include both the singular and the plural forms.

The "longan flower" mentioned herein refers to the flower of the longan plant; and the "longan flower extract" mentioned herein refers to the product obtained by extracting the longan flower with a solvent for a specific time and temperature.

The longan flower extract used according to the present invention can be provided by an operation including the following steps: (a) extracting longan flower with an extraction solvent to provide a crude extract; (b) centrifuging the crude extract Processing, filtering the supernatant to provide a filtrate; (c) concentrating the filtrate under reduced pressure to obtain a concentrated extract; and (d) drying the concentrated extract to obtain a dry product.

In addition, if necessary, other operations such as heating, cooling, stirring, ultrasonic waves, etc. may be performed before or during step (a) to improve the extraction effect. For example, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, a stirring operation is performed before step (a) is performed.

In addition, in step (c), the temperature during concentration under reduced pressure may be adjusted as needed. For example, the vacuum concentration of step (c) can be performed at 45-70 ^° C; in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the concentration is at 55 Concentrate under reduced pressure in step (c) at 5 ^° C. The longan flower extract used according to the present invention can be the concentrated extract provided in step (c), or the dried product provided in step (d), wherein step (d) can be through freeze drying or spray drying. etc. In order to achieve the greatest extraction efficiency, if necessary, the longan flower can be repeatedly extracted with the same or different extraction solvents before step (b) is performed, and the extracts obtained from the multiple extractions are combined to provide the step (b). The crude extract of (b); the cycle of step (b), step (c), and the aforementioned other operations as needed can also be repeated.

The composition provided according to the present invention may be a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or an external product composition. Among them, the pharmaceutical composition or external product composition provided according to the present invention can be used to inhibit the growth of stem cells. -Galactosidase activity and skin care. The food composition provided according to the present invention can also be used for skin beautification and anti-aging.

The pharmaceutical composition provided according to the present invention can be a medicine, a nutritional supplement, a health food, a topical product or any combination thereof, and can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, adjuvants, and/or food additives.

The pharmaceutical composition provided according to the present invention can be in any suitable form without particular limitation, and may be in a corresponding suitable dosage form depending on the intended use. For example, but not limited thereto, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered to an individual in need via oral or parenteral (eg, transdermal) administration.

According to the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition may be manufactured into a dosage form suitable for parenterally or orally administration using techniques well known to those skilled in the art, including, but Not limited to: injection (for example, sterile aqueous solution or dispersion), sterile powder (sterile powder), tablet, tablet (troche), buccal Lozenge, pill, capsule, dispersible powder or granule, solution, suspension, emulsion, syrup, elixir ( elixir, slurry and the like.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be administered by a parenteral route selected from the group consisting of: intraperitoneal injection, subcutaneous injection, intraepidermal injection Intraepidermal injection, intradermal injection, intramuscular injection, intravenous injection, intralesional injection, sublingual administration) and transdermal administration (transdermal administration).

The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that is widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing technology. For example, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may include one or more agents selected from the group consisting of: solvent, emulsifier, suspending agent, decomposing agent (decomposer), binding agent, excipient, stabilizing agent, chelating agent, diluent, gelling agent, preservative ), lubricants, absorption delaying agents, liposomes and the like. In addition, the external product composition according to the present invention may further comprise an acceptable adjuvant that is widely used in external product manufacturing technology. For example, the acceptable adjuvant may include one or more agents selected from the group consisting of: solvents, gelling agents, active agents, preservatives, antioxidants, screening agents, chelating agents, surfactants, dyes Coloring agents, thickening agents, fillers, fragrances and odor absorbers. The selection and quantities of these reagents are within the professionalism and routine skills of those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier includes a solvent selected from the group consisting of: water, normal saline, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) , sugar-containing solutions, aqueous solutions containing alcohol, and combinations thereof.

Taking dosage forms suitable for transdermal administration as an example, the pharmaceutical composition provided according to the present invention can be in the form of a patch, lotion, cream, gel (for example: hydrogel), or paste (for example: dispersion paste, ointment), spray, or solution (for example: suspension), but not limited to this.

The pharmaceutical composition provided according to the present invention can be administered at different dosage frequencies, such as once a day, multiple times a day, or once on several days, depending on the needs, age, weight, and health status of the individual being administered. In the pharmaceutical composition provided according to the present invention, the content ratio of the longan flower extract in the composition can be adjusted according to actual application requirements. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition may optionally contain one or more other active ingredients (such as anti-aging drugs and skin care products, etc.), or may be used in combination with drugs containing the one or more other active ingredients to further strengthen the pharmaceutical composition. The efficacy or increase the application flexibility and deployment degree of the preparation formula, as long as the other active ingredients have no adverse impact on the effectiveness of the active ingredient of the present invention (ie, longan flower extract).

If necessary, the pharmaceutical composition and food composition provided according to the present invention may further contain additives in appropriate amounts, for example, additives that can improve the taste and visual experience of the pharmaceutical composition or food composition when taken. Flavoring agents, toners, colorants, etc., as well as buffers, preservatives, preservatives, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, etc. that can improve the stability and storage properties of the pharmaceutical composition or food composition.

The food composition provided by the present invention can be a food product formulated with edible materials, including but not limited to: beverages, fermented foods, bakery products, and health foods. (health foods), nutritional supplements (nutritional supplements) and dietary supplements (dietary supplements).

According to the present invention, the edible material is selected from the group consisting of water, fluid milk products, milk, concentrated milk; fermented milk, such as yogurt ( yogurt), sour milk, frozen yogurt, lactic acid bacteria-fermented beverages; milk powder; ice cream; cream cheeses; cheese (dry cheeses); soybean milk; fermented soybean milk; vegetable-fruit juices; juices; sports drinks; confectionery; jellies; A group consisting of candies; infant formulas; health foods; animal feeds; Chinese herbals; dietary supplements.

According to the present invention, food products can be regarded as food additives, which can be added during the preparation of raw materials through conventional methods, or added during the production process of food, and can be formulated with any edible material. Food products for consumption by humans and non-human animals.

Beverages, fermented foods, baked products, health foods, nutritional supplements, and dietary supplements provided according to the present invention can be consumed at different frequencies such as once a day, multiple times a day, or once a few days, depending on the administration. Varies with individual age, weight, and health. The content of longan flower extract in beverages, fermented foods, baked products, health foods, nutritional supplements, and dietary supplements provided according to the present invention can also be adjusted according to the needs of specific groups, for example: adjusted to the daily dosage. Amount to take.

For beverages, fermented foods, bakery products, health foods, nutritional supplements, and/or dietary supplements provided according to the present invention, recommended usage amounts and usage standards for specific groups (such as pregnant women) can be marked on the outer packaging and conditions, or recommendations for co-administration with other foods or medicines, etc., so that users can take it without any safety concerns without the guidance of a physician, pharmacist or relevant executive. In the food composition provided according to the present invention, the appearance and related applications of the longan flower extract are as described above.

According to the present invention, topical products may be cosmeceuticals, meaning those which, within the scope of sound medical judgment, are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a person without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic reactions and the like.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples. These examples are provided for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is shown in the appended patent application scope. Example 1. Preparation method of longan flower extract of the present invention

In one embodiment of the present invention, the dried longan flower and the extraction solvent of water, alcohol, or alcohol-water mixture are mixed evenly at a volume ratio of 1-5:5-20, and then dried at 50-100 ^° C. Extraction is performed for 30-60 minutes to obtain a crude extract, wherein the extraction solvent is preferably water or alcohol, and more preferably ethanol, and then after the crude extract is cooled to room temperature, centrifuge at 1,000 g for 10 minutes and collect the supernatant liquid, and then filter the supernatant liquid with a 400 mesh filter to obtain a filtrate; then, the concentrated product after concentrating the filtrate under reduced pressure at 45-70 ^° C can obtain the concentrated liquid dosage form of the longan flower extract of the present invention. The substance is then spray-dried to obtain a dry dosage form of the longan flower extract of the present invention.

In a preferred implementation of the present invention, an enzyme hydrolysis step can be optionally performed before the extraction step. Specifically, after the dried longan flower is added to the extraction solvent, an additional 0.05-0.2% (w/w) of After the complex cellulase acts for 30-60 minutes, it is extracted at 50-100 ^o C for 30-60 minutes; wherein, the complex cellulase can be Viscozyme ^® (Sigma, containing -Glucanase ( -dextranase), xylanase (xylanase), cellulase (cellulase), hemicellulase (hemicellulase)), or it can be Celluclast ^® (Sigma, activity ≥ 700 units/g, containing cellulase); wherein , this enzyme hydrolysis step can increase the yield and active ingredient content of the longan flower extract of the present invention.

In the following examples, the longan flower extract used uses water as the extraction solvent, mixes it evenly with a volume ratio of 1:10-20, and extracts at 75-85 ^° C for 30-60 minutes to obtain a crude extract. , after cooling to room temperature, centrifuge at 1,000 g for 10 minutes and collect the supernatant, filter it through a 400 mesh filter, concentrate the filtrate under reduced pressure at 55-60 ^o C, and then spray-dry to obtain the present product. Invention of longan flower extract. Example 2. The role of longan flower extract in inhibiting stem cells -Effectiveness assessment on galactosidase activity

Stem cell aging is an irreversible physiological phenomenon. Over time and the environment, cells may age, stop proliferating or cause growth arrest due to stress response. When aging stem cells accumulate in the body, they may cause tissue aging or disease. -Galactosidase( -galactosidase) is currently the most widely used substance to calibrate cell aging. It will be used to analyze aging cells. -Galactosidase, to assess whether a sample has stem cell inhibitory properties -Efficacy of galactosidase activity.

Cell culture materials are as follows. The cell line is human adipose derived stem cell (human ADSC) (R7788-115) (Invitrogen StemPro ^® ). The medium formula used was keratinocyte serum-free medium (KSFM) (purchased from Gibco), with the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (purchased from Hyclone) and 1% amphoteric penicillin. - penicillin-streptomycin amphoteric (P/S, purchased from Gibco). Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was purchased from Gibco. 0.05% trypsin was purchased from Gibco. 4-methylumbelliferyl-bD-glucuronide (MUG) was purchased from Sigma. 2-mercaptoethanol was purchased from Bio-Rad.

The method for culturing human adipose-derived stem cells is as follows. Human ADSC were seeded in T75 culture flasks (flask) at 1×10 ⁶ /well, each culture flask contained 10 mL of culture medium, and incubated in 5% CO ₂ , 37 cultivated in the environment.

The experimental method of aging induced by human adipose-derived stem cells is as follows. Human ADSC were seeded in a 24-well plate at 1×10 ⁴ /well, each well containing 1 mL of culture medium, and incubated in 5% CO ₂ , 37 After culturing for 24 hours, the culture medium was removed and divided into groups, namely the control group and the sample group. The sample group was added with culture medium containing samples, and the control group was added with an equal amount of water-containing culture medium. 37 After 24 hours of culture, the medium was removed and replaced with a final concentration of 100 M of H ₂ O ₂ , 2 hours after the reaction, replace with general complete medium, and incubate in 5% CO ₂ , 37 Incubate under ambient conditions for 24 hours.

-The operating procedure for galactosidase activity analysis is as follows. Prepare 2X reaction buffer: Dissolve KREBS buffer powder in primary water, stir on a stirrer to help dissolve, then adjust the pH value to 6.0, then sterilize and store in a refrigerator. Next, prepare 400 mM sodium carbonate buffer: Dissolve sodium carbonate in primary water, stir on a stirrer to help dissolve, then adjust the pH value to 8.3, and store at room temperature (sodium carbonate; Na ₂ CO ₃ , molecular weight 106). Action buffer: take 1225 l 2X reaction buffer in a 1.5 mL centrifuge tube, add 2-mercaptoethanol 12.5 l and MUG (100 times dilution) 12.5 lTotal 1250 l and mix well.

First use the inverted fluorescence microscope imaging system to observe the cell status. If the cells are not contaminated, you can continue the experiment. Remove the cell supernatant and wash 1 to 2 times with 1 mL/well of Dulbeccos' phosphate buffered saline (DPBS). Remove the waste liquid and add 150 l/well Lysis buffer at 4 React on ice for 10 minutes. Add a volume of DPBS equivalent to the dissociation buffer to terminate the decomposition buffer, then transfer all the cell lysis liquid to a 1.5 mL centrifuge tube and centrifuge for 15 minutes with a micro-refrigerated high-speed centrifuge, 4 ,12,000xg. Take 50 lCell lysis supernatant in a new 1.5 mL centrifuge tube, and then take 50 lAdd the action buffer into the tube, shake and mix, and then act for 1 hour at 37 In a double tank dry bath. After the reaction is completed, add 400 l Sodium carbonate solution terminates the reaction. Finally take 100 from the tube l/well in a 96-well micro-analysis plate, and measure the reading on a fluorescent microplate immunoenzyme analyzer (excitation wavelength 360nm; radiation wave 465nm), and take another 100 lThe measured reading of sodium carbonate stop solution is regarded as the blank group, and the calculation formula is as follows: [(experimental group-blank group) (Control group-blank group)] 100%.

Longan flower extract inhibits stem cells -The results of galactosidase activity are shown in Figure 1. When cells age and are stimulated, they will display a large number of -Galactosidase, it is known from the experimental results that the longan flower extract is in the range of 31.25~62.5 g/mL can inhibit the growth of stem cells -Galactosidase activity, reducing aging substances - Galactosidase reached 74%, showing that longan flower can effectively inhibit the growth of stem cells -Galactosidase activity. Example 3. Evaluation of the effectiveness of longan flower extract in inhibiting elastase activity

Refer to Tu, PTB; Tawata, S. Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Aging, and Anti-Melanogenic Properties of the Essential Oils from Two Varieties of Alpinia zerumbet. Molecules 2015, 20, 16723-16740 method to be modified, take 25 Add 25 L of 0.2 M Tris-HCl buffer solution (pH8.0) L sample or blank solvent (sample solvent), add 25 to the reaction group L 0.0375 U/mL Porcine pancreatic elastase (dissolved in 0.2 M Tris-HCl buffer solution (pH8.0)); the control group added 25 L 0.2 M Tris-HCl buffer solution (pH8.0), mix evenly, and incubate at 37 Let it sit for 10 minutes, then add 25 L 0.8 mM N-succinyl-(Ala)-3-p-nitroanilide (N-succinyl-(Ala)-3-p-nitroanilide), mix evenly, place at 37 React for 30 minutes, measure the absorbance value at 410 nm and calculate the inhibition rate according to the following formula.

Elastase inhibition rate (%) = *100%, Abs represents the absorbance value.

The results on the elastase inhibitory activity of longan flower extract are shown in Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, longan flower extract has the activity of inhibiting elastase, with an inhibition rate of 22% at 5 mg/mL and an inhibition rate of 41% at 10 mg/mL. It can prevent the decomposition of elastin and maintain its functions. Example 4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of longan flower extract in inhibiting collagen glycation reaction ( glycation)

The experiment uses two proteins to evaluate glycation: (1) Bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is most commonly used as a protein matrix for anti-glycation analysis and is regarded as the total reference indicator of functional proteins in the body. It is most commonly used in the initial analysis of anti-diabetic complications; (2) Collagen. When the protein matrix is collagen, the scope can be narrowed down to the functional analysis of collagen to perform a more specific anti-glycation assessment of collagen.

Reference to Wang, SH; Chang, JC; Pokkaew, R.; Lee, JF and Chiou, RYY (2011) Modified fast procedure for the detection and screening of antiglycative phytochemicals. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 59: 6906-6912 Modify, take 20 L inhibits the zero point and end point of the activity determination of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), adding 80 Dilute the sample to be tested five times with L phosphate buffer. Prepare 300 mM nitro blue tetrozolium (NBT) with sodium carbonate buffer (100 mM, pH 10.35). Add 1 mL of 300 mM NBT to 0.1 mL of the diluted sample to be tested. Mix evenly and remove. Let the light react for 15 minutes and measure the absorbance value at 530 nm.

Inhibition of collagen glycation initial product activity (%) =

The results on the activity of longan flower extract in inhibiting the early glycation products of collagen are shown in Figure 3, in which fructosamine is an early glycation product. As can be seen from Figure 3, longan flower extract has the activity of inhibiting the early products of glycation, at 0.5 g/mL~10 g/mL all have inhibitory effects, at 10 g/mL can reach 66.3% inhibition rate

Next, refer to Wang, SH; Chang, JC; Pokkaew, R.; Lee, JF and Chiou, RYY (2011) Modified fast procedure for the detection and screening of antiglycative phytochemicals. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 59: 6906-6912 Modify the method and take 20 L inhibits the zero point and end point of the activity determination of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Add 80 After diluting the sample to be tested five times with L phosphate buffer, add 0.85 mL 500 mM sodium formate (pH 2.9) and 0.05 mL 500 mM Girard-T reagent, mix evenly, and react in the dark for 60 minutes, and measure the absorbance value at 290 nm.

Inhibition of collagen glycation mid-term product activity (%) =

The results about the activity of longan flower extract in inhibiting the mid-stage glycation products of collagen are shown in Figure 4, where -Diketone compounds ( -dicarbonyl compounds) is a mid-stage product of glycation. As can be seen from Figure 4, longan flower extract has the activity of inhibiting mid-stage glycation products at 0.5 g/mL~10 g/mL all have inhibitory effects, at 10 g/mL can reach an inhibition rate of 61.0%.

Next, refer to Wang, SH; Chang, JC; Pokkaew, R.; Lee, JF and Chiou, RYY (2011) Modified fast procedure for the detection and screening of antiglycative phytochemicals. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 59: 6906-6912 The method was modified and 200 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was used to prepare collagen (60 mg/mL) (containing 0.06% NaN ₃ ) and D-fructose (1.5 M). Take 0.2 mL sample and For the control group, add 0.2 mL of collagen and 0.2 mL of fructose and mix evenly, 50 Leave to react for 24 hours. Take 0.1 mL each at the zero point and end point of the above saccharification reaction for fluorescence detection (excitation wavelength 360 nm, emission wavelength 460 nm).

Calculation method: Anti-collagen glycation activity (%) =

The results on the activity of longan flower extract in inhibiting collagen advanced glycation end products are shown in Figure 5. As can be seen from Figure 5, the longan flower extract is at 0.5 g/mL~10 g/mL all have inhibitory effects, of which 2 g/mL can reach an inhibition rate of 45.3%, at 10 g/mL can achieve an inhibition rate of 74.8%, blocking the formation of irreversible AGEs and preventing collagen from losing its function.

The results of this example show that the best way to combat glycation is to block its production. Longan flower extract can block the glycation of collagen at various stages and protect collagen from losing its function due to glycation.

In summary, the longan flower extract of the present invention has the potential of stem cells - Galactosidase activity and skin health care functions, including inhibiting elastase activity and inhibiting collagen glycation.

The above is only illustrative and not restrictive. Any equivalent modifications or changes that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall be included in the appended patent scope.

without

Figure 1 shows that longan flower extract inhibits stem cells. -Galactosidase activity, where -Galactosidase( -galactosidase) is currently the most widely used substance to calibrate cell aging. By analyzing the aging cells -Galactosidase, to assess whether a sample has stem cell inhibitory properties -Efficacy of galactosidase activity. Figure 2 shows that longan flower extract inhibits elastase activity. Figure 3 shows that longan flower extract inhibits the activity of early glycation products of collagen, of which fructosamine is an early glycation product. Figure 4 shows that longan flower extract inhibits the activity of collagen glycation mid-stage products, where -Diketone compounds ( -dicarbonyl compounds) is a mid-term product of glycation. Figure 5 shows that longan flower extract inhibits the activity of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of collagen.

Claims (9)

A longan flower extract is used to prepare a composition that inhibits the β-galactosidase activity of stem cells and has skin health care. The longan flower extract is prepared by extracting a longan flower with a solvent, and the solvent is Water, alcohol, alcohol-water mixture or a combination thereof, the longan flower is further hydrolyzed with 0.05-0.2% (w/w) of a complex cellulose enzyme before being extracted with the solvent. The use as described in claim 1, wherein the effective concentration of the longan flower extract for inhibiting the β-galactosidase activity of stem cells is 31.25 μg/mL~62.5 μg/mL. The use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the skin care system inhibits the activity of elastase. The use as described in claim 3, wherein the effective concentration of the longan flower extract for inhibiting the activity of elastase is 5 mg/mL~10 mg/mL. The use as described in claim 1, wherein the skin care system inhibits the activity of early collagen glycation products, inhibits the activity of collagen mid-glycation products, or inhibits the activity of collagen advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). The use as described in claim 5, wherein the effective concentration of the longan flower extract is 0.5 μg/mL~10 μg/mL. The use as described in claim 1, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or an external product composition. The use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or an edible material. The use as described in claim 1, wherein the composition has a powder, a granular, a solution, a gel, or a paste dosage form.