Dermatological problem is mainly caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and excessive tyrosinase level in human body. It becomes interesting in the field of biological research which has been attempted to develop new materials from plant extracts to solve this problem. The concern is how those components in the plant extract can be used, protected, and released efficiently during application processes. In this study, we aimed to create a layered double hydroxide (LDH) encapsulating white lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) flower extract (WLE-LDH), investigate the antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase effects of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. flower extract encapsulated in the layered double hydroxide (WLE-LDH), and assess the release properties of the nanohybrid. DPPH assay and anti-tyrosinase enzyme assay were performed on methanol extract of N. nucifera and WLE-LDH. The white lotus methanolic extract demonstrated antioxidant activity with an EC50 of 0.17 mg mL-1 and uncompetitive inhibition of tyrosinase with an IC50 of 0.43 mg mL-1. The reconstruction method was used to encapsulate the white lotus flower extract into Mg-Al LDH without isolating the phytochemicals. The successful intercalation of the crude flower extract into the layered structure was confirmed by an increase in the interlayer spacing as indicated by shift in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data and SEM image also showed that an encapsulated nanohybrid had been successfully formed. Further, the data of exposure to ultraviolet–visible light suggested that the crude extract of N. nucifera Gaertn. flower was stabilized within the LDH bilayer, protecting its bioactivities. The resulting nanohybrid with bioactive phytoconstituents showed antioxidant activity with an EC50 of 0.58 mg mL-1 and anti-tyrosinase activity with an IC50 of 0.63 mg mL-1. Furthermore, the WLE-LDH sample demonstrated slow and controlled release characteristics with antioxidant activity for up to 3½ h and anti-tyrosinase activity for up to 2½ h. Our findings suggest a promising strategy of its potential applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
