Evaluation of In Vitro Solar Protection Factor (SPF), Antioxidant Activity, and Cell Viability of Mixed Vegetable Extracts from Dirmophandra mollis Benth, Ginkgo biloba L., Ruta graveolens L., and Vitis vinífera L.

Letícia Caramori Cefali,Mariana Cecchetto Figueiredo,Eliana Barbosa Souto,Janaina Artem Ataide,Mary Ann Foglio,Ilza Maria De Oliveira Sousa,Ana Lucia Tasca Gois Ruiz,Ana Rita Fernandes,Priscila Gava Mazzola,Elena Sanchez-Lopez

doi:10.3390/plants8110453

Letícia Caramori Cefali, Mariana Cecchetto Figueiredo + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8110453

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate a HPLC method for the assay of flavonoids in extracts obtained from natural sources, i.e., from Dirmophandra mollis Benth, Ginkgo biloba L., Ruta graveolens L., and Vitis vinífera L. The potential sun protecting effect, antioxidant activity, and cell viability of the extracts were also determined. Individual extracts (obtained from each individual species) and a mixed extract (containing the four extracts) were analyzed by the validated HPLC method for the identification of flavonoids and quantification of rutin and quercetin. An in vitro cell viability study was carried out using the neutral red method. The in vitro sun protection factor was determined by spectral transmittance and in vitro antioxidant efficacy was evaluated against DPPH, ABTS, and AAPH radicals. The HPLC method used for the identification and quantification of flavonoids in extracts exhibited linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. Detection and quantification limits were, respectively, 2.881 ± 0.9 μg·mL−1 and 0.864 ± 0.9 μg·mL−1 for quercetin, and 30.09 ± 1 μg·mL−1 and 9.027 ± 1.1 μg·mL−1 for rutin. All extracts did not affect cell viability at the evaluated concentration range and exhibited a sun protection effect and antioxidant activity. Among the evaluated extracts, Ginkgo biloba L. and the mixed extract depicted the most expressive antioxidant activity. The mixed extract exhibited sunscreen protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) and a critical wavelength of 372.7 ± 0.1. Our results translate the enhanced flavonoids’ composition of the mixed extract, which may be a potential alternative over sunscreens and antioxidants in pharmaceutic/cosmetic formulations.

Highlights

Because of its many benefits, sun is essential to life, but sun radiation, especially ultravioletA (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can stimulate free radical production, damaging mitochondrial enzymes and plasmatic membranes and causing reduction of antioxidant substances in the skin [1,2,3,4].ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB radiations can directly promote DNA damage, which is associated with skin aging acceleration and skin cancer, in addition to skin sunburns [5,6].World Health Organization epidemiological studies show that ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposition, especially during childhood and adolescence, is the main etiological agent of skin cancer [7]
Ginkgo biloba L. dry extract was purchased at Galena (Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil)
Acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, boric acid, oxalic acid, acetone, ether, metallic magnesium, metallic zinc, ferric chloride, and aluminum chloride were provided by Synth (São Paulo, Brazil), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2-20 -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,20 -azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), and fluorescein by Sigma-Aldrich (São Paulo, Brazil)

Summary

Introduction

Because of its many benefits, sun is essential to life, but sun radiation, especially ultravioletA (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can stimulate free radical production, damaging mitochondrial enzymes and plasmatic membranes and causing reduction of antioxidant substances in the skin [1,2,3,4].UVA and UVB radiations can directly promote DNA damage, which is associated with skin aging acceleration and skin cancer, in addition to skin sunburns [5,6].World Health Organization epidemiological studies show that ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposition, especially during childhood and adolescence, is the main etiological agent of skin cancer [7]. A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can stimulate free radical production, damaging mitochondrial enzymes and plasmatic membranes and causing reduction of antioxidant substances in the skin [1,2,3,4]. UVA and UVB radiations can directly promote DNA damage, which is associated with skin aging acceleration and skin cancer, in addition to skin sunburns [5,6]. Sunscreens are topical products initially developed to prevent sunburns, but have further evolved to protect against other harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, such as skin cancer, aging, wrinkle formation, undesired pigmentation, and collagen loss [9,10]. Some concerns still remain about the safety of UV filters, as adverse effects, including contact sensitivity, vitamin D deficiency, allergic reactions, and photogenotoxicity, have been reported [12,13]. Research on the use of natural ingredients aiming at reduction of skin irritation and other harmful effects associated with sunscreens is steadily increasing [15]

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