Medicinal desert plants as a valuable source of phytochemicals for cosmetic application: Biochemical analysis and in-vitro biological activities

Title : Medicinal desert plants as a valuable source of phytochemicals for cosmetic application: Biochemical analysis and in-vitro biological activities

Abstract:

In Morocco, the medicinal plant sector is endowed with a great biodiversity of medicinal flora characterized by several therapeutic benefits, setting up an important resource of natural ingredients widely suitable for cosmetic formulations. In this work, we highlight a case study conducted on some native plants highly used by the local population in traditional medicine in the south of Morocco. We evaluated the chemical composition of the obtained plant extracts using the LC-MS/MS, their antioxidant potential, as well as their dermo-cosmetic properties (anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities). Our findings showed a potential anti-aging effect of plant extracts due to their chemical profile rich in flavonoid aglycones and glycosides1,2. The content of these bioactive molecules is primarily influenced by biotic and abiotic stressors, which play a primordial role in stimulating the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. The results suggest that indigenous plants of the southern regions of Morocco are potential sources for the development of cosmetic & wellness products. Given the scarcity of these remarkable species in the desert area of Morocco and its wealth of bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoid glycosides, the use of alternative methods like advanced biotechnological tools is highly recommended for intensive plant species propagation and biodiversity conservation.
Keywords: abiotic factors, anti-aging, antioxidant, bioactive molecules, extraction, medicinal plants.

Audience Take Away Notes:

The audience will get an idea of the potential use of Medicinal desert plants in cosmetic industries and the formulation of well-being products
Explore new ways of valorization for aromatic and medicinal plants
This research shows the importance of using indigenous desert plants in different applications by highlighting the relationship between the influence of extraction methods on the yield of the biomolecules, their biological activities, and the understanding of in vitro mechanism of action of these phytochemicals

Biography:

Dr. El Kharrassi is an Assistant Professor at the UM6P-ASARI, Laâyoune, Morocco. He joined the UM6P Benguerir campus, AgroBioSciences research program in 2017 as a postdoctoral researcher for two years and has conducted his doctoral thesis under joint supervision “cotutelle thesis” at the University of Burgundy, “Bio-PeroxIL”, Dijon, France, and the University of Hassan1st, Settat, Morocco. His research interests include the valorization of indigenous desert plants, phytochemistry, natural product chemistry and Plant Tissue Culture. He is also interested in producing natural extracts and essential oils containing valuable molecules, highlighting biological activities, and choosing natural ingredients with these effects. Dr. El Kharrassi has co-authored 30 peer-reviewed articles with a high H-index of 13 with 1010 citations