Screening and Characterization of Achillea millefolium and Veronicastrum virginicum for Their Anti Acne and Anti Aging Activity

Acne vulgaris is a common disorder especially seen on the onset of adulthood. The search for plant based remedies for the treatment of this disease has always been of interest to cosmetic science. The market for anti-aging products is also growing at a tremendous pace. My research focuses on investigating into anti acne and anti aging activity of four different extracts of whole herb powder of A. millefolium and root powder extracts V.virginicum. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) has been established for the anti microbial activity against the two acne causing organisms, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidemidis. The ethanolic extract for both plants demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity. Further tests to measure antioxidant and anti-melanogenetic activity will also be performed. Anti-elastase activity will also be studied to investigate into the anti aging potential of these plants. Finally, phytochemical screening of the various extract for both the plants would be carried out for identification and characterization of compounds present. These results would help to determine potent anti acne and anti aging plant candidates.