Enhanced white tea extraction and multifunctional dermatoprotection via an l-proline/xylitol NaDES: antioxidant, anti-photoaging, and anti-glycation effects

Abstract

Bioactive constituents in Camellia sinensis (white tea) provide dermatoprotective benefits, but conventional extraction methods are often inefficient and cumbersome. Research on green extraction techniques for white tea and their effects on skin-related bioactivities remains limited. This study, therefore, established natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) as a sustainable extraction platform for white tea bioactives and evaluated the multifunctional skincare properties of the resulting extracts. An optimized L-proline/xylitol NaDES significantly enhanced polyphenol extraction efficiency over traditional solvents. The NaDES-derived extract exhibited superior antioxidant and anti-photoaging effects due to its higher polyphenol content, while also inhibiting advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation, demonstrating anti-glycation potential. In conclusion, the NaDES represents an advanced plant extraction solvent, and the derived white tea extract shows promise as a multifunctional skincare ingredient (with antioxidant, anti-photoaging, and anti-glycation properties) for cosmetic and food applications.