Abstract This study was conducted to compare the correlations between free radical antioxidant activity and anti-wrinkling activity. Areca nut was extracted using various concentrations of ethanol (0, 40, 80, and 100%) and methanol (0, 40, 80, and 100%) at 100 °C for 90 min. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Areca nut were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC), FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (SRSA), and anti-wrinkling activity (collagenase inhibition and elastase inhibition). In addition, the antioxidant activities were correlated with collagenase inhibition. The antioxidant activities of the extracts exhibited little correlation (R=0.008-0.0760) with TPC, TFC, and TAC; however, significant correlation (R=0.825-0.891) was shown with collagenase inhibition. The 40% and 80% EtOH extracts showed the highest levels of antioxidant activities, and also had the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activities of the 80% EtOH extracts was greater than that of other extracts. These results indicate that the collagenase inhibition effects of Areca nut extracts may be due to free radical antioxidant activities, and the optimal extraction condition was 80% EtOH.

Abstract Sanguisorba officinalis L., the dried roots of which are referred to as cucumber herb is a perennial herb belonging to the family Rosaceae. This study was showed the correlation between the antioxidant activity and its anti-wrinkle effects of ethanol extraction concentration of S. officinalis L. The extraction yield of the S. officinalis extracts was all 10% or more, which was judged to be economical. 80% ethanol extracts was the highest in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and the best total antioxidant activity. The correlation between total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity was 0.830 and 0.872, respectively, with a significant correlation was confirmed. In addition, in 80% ethanol extracts, superoxide anion and NO radical scavenging activities were the most effective. These results validated that the optimum extraction concentration for S. officinalis was 80% ethanol.