Anti-inflammatory evidence of a standardized Passiflora alata dry extract

Abstract

It is well established that aging of human skin is enhanced by continuous inflammatory process triggered by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollutants and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (1). Interleukins play a pivotal role in skin inflammation (2). IL-6 contributes to production of matrix metalloproteinases 2, that degrades collagen type IV (3). IL-8 induces the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) that enhances extracelluar matrix degradation (4). After these statements, the search for cosmetic ingredients showing anti-inflammatory activity is of great value to prevent or reduce the process of skin aging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of a Passiflora alata Curtis extract, a Passifloracea species endemic to Brazil. The extract was standardized in vitexin-2-O“-rhamnoside, the major component responsible for the biological activity. The content of vitexin-2-O“-rhamnoside in the dried extract is of 12%. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by ELISA analysis for IL-6 and IL-8 in an in vitro model of human fibroblasts. The inflammatory stimuli were either UVB radiation or lipopolysaccharide. The results indicate the use of the presented extract as an anti-aging cosmetic ingredient.