Development of a Polyherbal Anti-Ageing Cream Using Synergistic Antioxidant Combination of Withania somnifera Roots and Psidium guajava Leaves

Authors

• W. A. D. M. P. Wanasinghe, Department of Cosmetic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, CINEC Campus, Malabe, Sri Lanka
• W. M. K. M. Ratnayake, Department of Cosmetic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, CINEC Campus, Malabe, Sri LankaFollow

Document Type

Original Study

Abstract

Skin ageing is a multifactorial biological process largely accelerated by extrinsic factors such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and oxidative stress, leading to structural and functional deterioration of the skin. Due to the strong antioxidant potential of herbal phytochemicals, plant-based anti-ageing formulations have gained increasing attention in the cosmetic industry. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the synergistic antioxidant activity of combined extracts of Withania somnifera roots and Psidium guajava leaves and to develop a stable herbal anti-ageing cream using the most active extract combination. The 95% ethanol extracts of P. guajava leaves (EPGL) and W. somnifera roots (EWSR) were prepared by reflux extraction technique, and qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was performed. The antioxidant potential of EPGL, EWSR and their combinations was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A cream formula was developed with the plant extract combination with the most active antioxidant activity. The toxicity was evaluated by the Brine shrimp assay. Both extracts demonstrated the presence of antioxidant-related phytochemicals, including polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and leucoanthocyanins. EPGL showed higher total phenolic (135.92 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (290.4 mg QE/g) than EWSR. Both extracts exhibited significant dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity, while the 1:1 combination showed the strongest antioxidant activity with the lowest EC₅₀ value (24.37 μg/mL), indicating a synergistic effect. Among five cream base formulations, F₄ and F₅ were stable; however, after incorporation of plant extracts, only the F₄-based cream remained stable. Toxicity studies confirmed that the final formulation was non-toxic and suitable for topical application. Further phytochemical characterization and mechanistic studies would be valuable to identify the specific compounds responsible for these synergistic interactions of EPGL and EWSR.

Recommended Citation

Wanasinghe, W. A. D. M. P. and Ratnayake, W. M. K. M. (2026) "Development of a Polyherbal Anti-Ageing Cream Using Synergistic Antioxidant Combination of Withania somnifera Roots and Psidium guajava Leaves," Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology: Vol. 7: Iss. 2, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.66543/3084-858X.1120

First Pages

96

Last Page

108