Coffee (Coffea arabica) or Arabica is grown as an economic cash crop in the northern
highlands of Thailand. Utilization of coffee leaves has historically been overshadowed by
coffee bean products. Phytochemical constituents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities
as well as irritation of Thai arabica coffee leaf extract were evaluated. The leaf extract
demonstrated potential antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
radical scavenging, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical
scavenging, and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays, with high phenolic content and flavonoid
content. Anti-inflammatory potential was observed in dose-dependent manner by reducing
interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion from LPS-stimulated macrophages. Irritation on the chorioallantoic
membrane of hen’s eggs were not observed. Therefore, coffee leaf extract has potential as
the new alternative ingredient for cosmetics or cosmeceutical products. Moreover, this research
has benefit for adding the value to the coffee leaves in off-season for coffee beans.
Keywords
Coffea arabica, leaf extract, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant, irritation test