Phytoconstituents, antioxidant, sun protection and skin anti-wrinkle effects using four solvents fractions of the root bark of the traditional plant Alkanna tinctoria (L.)

Abstract

IntroductionProtection of skin from wrinkles and pigmentation changes are among the most common challenges for modern science and cosmetics. These are caused by unusual disruption of connective tissue, the formation of free radicals and ultraviolet radiation.The current research is the first study to compare the phytoconstituents, antioxidant, sun protection factor (SPF) and skin wrinkles prevention effects using four different solvents fractions for the traditional plant Alkanna tinctoria (L.) root bark. MethodsQualitative and quantitative phytoconstituents, antioxidant activity, sun protection factor and anti-elastase (skin wrinkles prevention) effects were assessed using standard pharmaceutical and cosmeceuticals assays. ResultsThe results of antioxidant, anti-elastase and sun protection factor activities were the highest for the acetone fraction with IC50 8.51 ± 1.94 μg/ml, 10.02 ± 0.3 μg/ml and SPF value of 6.38, respectively. However, these results may occur due to its high contents of flavonoids and phenols which were 26.55 ± 1.6 mg of QUE/g and 59.48 ± 0.56 mg of GAE/g plant acetone fraction, respectively. ConclusionThe acetone fraction of A. tinctoria root bark could be a promising candidate for cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations due to the potential antioxidant, anti-elastase enzyme and sun protection activities.