Abstract
Ferns are poorly explored species from a pharmaceutical perspective compared to other terrestrial plants. In this work, the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts, together with total polyphenol content, were evaluated in order to explore the potential cosmetic applications of four Spanish ferns collected in the Prades Mountains (Polypodium vulgare L., Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L., Asplenium trichomanes L., and Ceterach officinarum Willd). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) assays. The potential to avoid skin hyperpigmentation was tested by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme, as this causes melanin synthesis in the epidermis. All ferns were confirmed as antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase agents, but interestingly hydrophilic extracts (obtained with methanol) were more potent and effective compared to lipophilic extracts (obtained with hexane). Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, and Ceterach officinarum methanolic extracts performed the best as antioxidants. Polypodium vulgare methanolic extract also showed the highest activity as a tyrosinase inhibitor.
Highlights
The incidence of cutaneous disorders and melanoma has increased worldwide [1]; non-melanoma skin cancer has become the principal skin cancer among fair-skinned people [2].Sun radiation is known to accelerate photodamage of the skin, and ultraviolet radiation is one of the main factors that causes skin hyperpigmentation and skin aging [3].Melanin, which is obtained by irreversible tyrosine catalyzed reactions, is an important epidermal agent that blocks ultraviolet radiation [4]
The hydrophilic extracts obtained with methanol have higher yields than lipophilic extracts obtained with hexane
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates sprayed with Natural Products-polyethylene glycol (PEG) reagent revealed the presence of flavonoids in methanolic samples obtained from Asplenium trichomanes (ATM, retention factors (Rf) = 0.97, 0.92, 0.86) and Ceterach officinarum (COM, Rf = 0.66, 0.5)
Summary
The incidence of cutaneous disorders and melanoma has increased worldwide [1]; non-melanoma skin cancer has become the principal skin cancer among fair-skinned people [2]. Called non-systemic photoprotection, has traditionally been considered the main strategy against the harmful effects of sun radiation [9]. Other authors have recently published updated reviews on the phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology of ferns, highlighting the presence of polyphenols ( flavonoids), terpenoids, steroids, and alkaloids [20,21] Most of these bioactive compounds are described as natural enzyme inhibitors in biomedical research drug discovery due to anticancer, antidiabetic, and antiaging properties [22,23,24]. In vitro antioxidant activities against different free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl—DPPH, oxygen radical absorbance capacity—ORAC, and xanthine/xanthine oxidase—X/XO methods) and in vitro inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme were evaluated
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