Abstract: In this research, sea buckthorn seed extracts (SBSE) were obtained by the extraction of sea buckthorn seed residues using ethanol. SBSE were separated into two fractions of different polarities: the upper ethyl acetate phase and the bottom aqueous phase. The crude extract and its fractions were tested for bioactive components, chemical and cellular antioxidant properties including scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and hydroxyl radicals and catalase activity, and their effects on reactive oxygen (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and type Ⅰ collagen (COLⅠ) contents in the culture supernatants of human skin fibroblast cells were examined. The results showed that flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and total phenolics were the major bioactive compounds in the crude extract and its fractions. All these samples could strongly scavenge DPPH free radical. The two fractions but not the crude extract showed potent hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. All three samples in the concentration range of 0.05–5.00 mg/mL showed no strong cytotoxicity to human skin fibroblast cells and the cell viability was above 80% in the presence of each sample. Stimulation with the samples significantly increased catalase activity and reduced ROS content, and the crude extract showed the strongest catalase activity and lowest ROS level among these samples. Furthermore, cellular MMP-1 contents were significantly decreased by SBSE, and COLⅠ contents were increased to the maximum. Therefore, SBSE had potential anti-aging effect.

Key words: sea buckthorn seed residues, crude extracts, ethyl acetate phase, aqueous phase, anti-aging potential