Potency of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Peel Extract to Overcome Skin Aging

Skin aging involves dermal alterations driven by free radical activity, leading to the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, elastic fibers, and collagen. The aging process has typical signs of chronic inflammation, which are characterized by, among others, an increase in proinflammatory cytokines. Rambutan or Nephelium lappaceum L. is a plant that has the potential as an antiaging agent for the skin. This study aimed to ascertain the antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory effects of N. lappaceum peel extract (NPE) and its components. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used for compound identification; antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays; anti-aging activity by collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibition; cytotoxicity by cell viability testing; and anti-inflammatory effects by ELISA-based quantification of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, iNOS, PGE-2, and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The phytochemical analysis of NPE revealed high levels of tannin and terpenoid. The ESI-MS showed that NPE contained geraniin, catechin, quercetin, ellagic, coumaric, and hydroxycinnamic acids. NPE has antioxidant activities through scavenging of DPPH and ABTS (IC50 = 8.06; 2.35 μg/mL, respectively), while in FRAP reducing activity, NPE has a moderate activity (185.92 μM (FeII)/μg). In antiaging activities, NPE has inhibitory effects on collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase (IC50 = 300.77; 6.94; 0.72 μg/mL, respectively). The anti-inflammatory activities of NPE treatments (25, 50, and 75 μg/mL) reduced IL-1β, COX-2, NO, PGE-2, IL-6, iNOS, and TNF-α levels at LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. NPE has potential anti-inflammatory, antiaging, and antioxidant properties based on in vitro and ex vivo tests.