Angelica Sinensis Extract Powder/Dong quai extract
What is Angelica Sinensis Extract?
Angelica extract, derived from the root of the Apiaceae plant Angelica sinensis, is a traditionally used herbal active ingredient. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this extract has the effects of nourishing and activating blood circulation, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, and moistening the intestines for a laxative effect. It is commonly used to alleviate symptoms such as blood deficiency, sallow complexion, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, bruises and pain, and constipation.
Its chemical composition is complex, containing volatile components such as β-pinene, α-pinene, and camphene, as well as p-methylbenzyl alcohol, various organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and vitamins.
Modern pharmacological research has shown that angelica extract exhibits multiple biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, platelet aggregation inhibition, blood circulation promotion, hepatoprotective and anti-thrombotic effects, smooth muscle function regulation, and immune enhancement. Furthermore, this ingredient exhibits certain sedative, antiasthmatic, and bile secretion-stimulating effects, potentially improving digestive function.
Due to its comprehensive activity, angelica extract is currently widely used in pharmaceutical preparations, functional foods, and skincare cosmetics.
What are the benefits?
Health benefits
1. Improve Sleep
Danggui extract has the effect of improving sleep. It regulates and relaxes the nerves, thereby improving sleep quality.
2. Invigorates Qi and Promotes Blood Flow
Danggui extract has the effect of invigorating Qi and promoting blood circulation, thereby improving Qi and blood deficiency.
3. Moisturizes the Intestines and Promotes Laxative Effect
Danggui extract also has the effect of moisturizing the intestines and promoting laxative effects, promoting gastrointestinal motility and stool excretion, and can alleviate constipation symptoms to a certain extent.
4. Anti-Aging
Danggui extract is rich in nutrients such as vitamin E and vitamin B2, and has antioxidant properties that can scavenge free radicals in the body, helping to delay aging.
Skin care benefits
1. Whitening and Freckle Removal
The whitening and freckle-removing effects of angelica extract have been extensively documented. Its aqueous extract, alcohol extract, polysaccharides, and ferulic acid can inhibit melanin synthesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activity, making them useful for whitening or treating melasma.
2. Moisturizing
Research reports indicate that angelica extract exhibits excellent moisturizing properties, likely primarily due to its polysaccharides. Currently, a large number of plant polysaccharides have been found to possess moisturizing and hydrating properties. The moisturizing effect of polysaccharides stems from the fact that their polar groups can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, binding large amounts of water. Furthermore, polysaccharides also form a rich extracellular gelatinous matrix with the fibrin in the stratum corneum, providing moisture to the skin.
3. Sunscreen
Angelica extract has a sunscreen effect. Its active ingredient, ferulic acid, has excellent absorption of ultraviolet light in the 290-330 nm wavelength range. It significantly inhibits UVB-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, oxidative damage, and expression of p16 and c-myc proteins in human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCa T cells), while enhancing their antioxidant defenses. It also significantly protects human fibroblasts from UVA damage. Therefore, ferulic acid, an active ingredient in angelica, can be used as a natural sunscreen in the development of sunscreen cosmetics.
4. Anti-inflammatory and Acne Treatment
Angelica extract has excellent safety and efficacy as an anti-inflammatory and acne treatment ingredient. Results showed that angelica volatile oil significantly inhibited the secretion of the inflammatory factor human interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by THP-1 cells induced by Propionibacterium acnes. Other literature reports suggest that ferulic acid can be used to treat acne, but its therapeutic mechanism requires further investigation.
5. Antibacterial and Preservative Effects
Danggui alcohol extract is a natural antibacterial agent that is non-toxic and non-irritating. It has strong inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium, and its antibacterial effect is even greater than that of chemical antibacterial agents/preservatives. Furthermore, angelica alcohol extract and the ferulic acid it contains have inhibitory effects against Malassezia species (globose, furfur, obtuse, and sympodial). Malassezia species are lipophilic and primarily grow in the stratum corneum of human skin. They are responsible for dandruff. This study provides a reference for the use of angelica alcohol extract and ferulic acid in anti-dandruff shampoo products.
Application direction
Cosmetic Applications
Due to its excellent skin-nourishing and repairing properties, angelica extract has become a key natural ingredient in cosmetic formulations. It effectively improves dry skin, slows the aging process, and enhances skin vitality by promoting metabolism. It has also been shown to promote healthy hair in scalp care.
Health Product Applications
In the health food sector, angelica extract primarily utilizes its traditional Qi-invigorating and blood-activating properties, helping to alleviate Qi and blood deficiency by promoting blood circulation. This ingredient also offers multiple health benefits, such as improving sleep quality, regulating intestinal function, and delaying aging, making it suitable for the health needs of people of all ages.
