The Antioxidant Activity of a Prepared Cream Containing Saffron Extract and Grape Seed Extract

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Cosmeceutical Science
• Pharmacognosy
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Oxidative stress is a key factor in skin aging and damage.
• Natural extracts rich in antioxidants offer potential for topical therapies.
• Saffron (Crocus sativus) and grape seed (Vitis vinifera) possess known antioxidant properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant activity of a topical cream containing saffron and grape seed extracts.
• To characterize the physicochemical properties of the novel cream formulation.
• To assess the synergistic antioxidant effects of combined extracts for dermal application.

Main Methods:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for phytochemical profiling of extracts.
• In vitro antioxidant assays (chemiluminescence, ROS assays) using human lymphocyte cultures.
• Gene expression analysis (SOD1, NFE2L2, JUN) to assess pathway activation.
• Physicochemical characterization (pH, viscosity, spreadability) and skin irritancy tests.

Main Results:

• HPLC confirmed high concentrations of crocin in saffron and proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract.
• Both extracts significantly reduced oxidative stress markers in vitro.
• The final cream (2.5% saffron, 5.0% grape seed) showed synergistic antioxidant effects.
• Formulation exhibited stable physicochemical properties and was non-irritating.

Conclusions:

• Combining saffron and grape seed extracts yields a synergistic antioxidant effect.
• The developed water-in-oil cream is stable, skin-compatible, and non-irritating.
• This formulation holds promise as a dermal antioxidant therapy for reducing oxidative stress and promoting skin rejuvenation.