Anti-Elastase Activity of Rumput Teki (Cyperus rotundus L.) Rhizome Extract

Objective: Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) often trigger the activation of elastase to degrade the elastin, an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that provides resilience and elasticity of the skin. Therefore, the inhibition of elastase could reduce the wrinkles formation in the skin. Rumput teki (Cyperus rotundus L.) is used empirically to increase the skin elasticity but the scientific justification was still limited. This study aimed to determine the activity of Cyperus rotundus L (CyR) in inhibiting the elastase activity. Methods: Extraction of CyR was performed by maceration method using 70% ethanol. The inhibition percentage and IC₅₀ were determined by the colorimetric method using porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and N-Succ-(Ala)3-p- nitroanilide (SANA) as substrate. Phytochemical screening, determination of Total Phenolic content (TPC), and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) were also performed to calculate the level of phenolic and flavonoid content in the sample. Results: The extract of CyR rhizomes contained TPC and TFC of 62.72 mgGAE/g and 10.72 mgEQ/g extract respectively and showed an inhibitory activity on elastase with IC₅₀ of 178.72 μg/mL, smaller than IC₅₀ of quercetin as reference drug (200.00 μg/mL). Conclusion: This finding suggested that extract of CyR rhizomes could be used as elastase inhibitor but the further research still needs to be developed.