Abstract:
Volatile chiral compounds are attracting increasing interest due to their stereoselective anti- aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions, which make them valuable active ingredients in cosmetic and therapeutic formulations. However, their high volatility and instability during conventional extraction often lead to low yields and loss of chiral purity. Therefore, the development of sustainable methods that preserve their structural and functional integrity is essential. Ammodaucus leucotrichus is a notable natural source of bioactive chiral monoterpenoids, including representatives such as (S)-perillaldehyde. In this work, Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) was evaluated as a green and efficient alternative to conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and steam distillation (SD). A Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to optimize extraction parameters, including microwave power, liquid-to- solid ratio, and extraction time. Chemical characterization via GC–MS confirmed improved preservation of volatile chiral constituents using MAE compared to HD and SD. Furthermore, biological evaluation revealed enhanced antioxidant activity and remarkable anti-aging enzyme inhibition, including tyrosinase (95.23%), hyaluronidase (89.12%), collagenase (87.79%), and elastase (89.12%). These findings indicate that MAE not only improves extraction efficiency but also contributes to the stabilization and functional enhancement of volatile chiral bioactives. This reinforces their potential as next-generation multifunctional ingredients for dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
Keywords: Volatile chiral compounds; Ammodaucus leucotrichus; Microwave-Assisted Extraction; Stereochemical stability; Anti-aging enzymes; Dermo-cosmetic applications.
Biography:
Dr. Ezzouhra Elmaaiden is a medicinal chemist with extensive international experience in drug discovery, natural product biotechnology, and molecular medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology from Hassan I University, followed by a Postdoctoral Research Associate position at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), focusing on therapeutic and cosmetic bioactive compounds derived from Saharan resources. She has held academic and research positions across Morocco, Oman, China, and the United States, including Assistant Professor at the University of Nizwa (Oman) and Research Scientist at Xi’an Jiaotong University (China). She later advanced to Scientist and Project Coordinator in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development at UM6P, where she directed preclinical studies, SAR optimization, molecular assays, and the development and evaluation of pharmaceutical and cosmetic prototypes. Dr. Elmaaiden is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and Adjunct Faculty at Adelphi University (USA), and she serves as an Expert in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development at UM6P. Her research focuses on therapeutic molecule design for cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, dermatological disorders, and chronic inflammation, integrating natural-product chemistry, small-molecule synthesis, computational modeling, and advanced analytical techniques. She has contributed to multiple patents, coordinated technology transfer and industrial development projects, and supported quality control and certification for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Dr. Elmaaiden also serves as Chief Editor of the Journal of Forensic Research and Crime Studies (JFRCS) and Academic Editor for Scientifica and Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, in addition to serving on the editorial boards and review panels of several other international journals in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and molecular sciences.
