Common names | Chayote, Mirliton squash 

Scientific name | Sechium eduleUsed part | Fruit

Known active compounds | luteolin, apigenin
Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle 

Product name | Chayote-ANB

 

 

Plant Story

Chayote (Sechium edule) is an herbaceous perennial climbing plant also known as mirliton squash. It was one of several foods introduced to the Old World during the Columbian Exchange and can now be found integrated into many Latin American and Asian cuisines. As part of the gourd family, the chayote grows in a sprawling fashion requiring sufficient room to grow. Along the climbing vines of the plant are green, pear-shaped fruits with a flattened and wrinkled appearance. This fruit has been known to have diuretic, cardiovascular, and anti-inflammatory properties, while a tea made from its leaves has been used to treat arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and kidney stones.

 

Several scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the chayote fruit and the bioactive compounds behind its properties. One study reported that its high contents of flavonoid, phenolic, and carotenoid compounds closely correlated with its antioxidant capacities using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity). In particular, luteolin and apigenin derivatives, diosmetin 7-rutinoside, benzyl alcohol hexose pentose I, and iryantherin-E-triacetate I were found to be the major phenolic compounds in chayote fruit. Another study reported that chayote extract treatment resulted in notable wrinkles smoothing effect, presumably from protecting keratinocytes against UVA-induced cytotoxicity and decreasing intracellular ROS.