Evaluation of the in vitro photoprotective potential of ethanolic extracts of four species of the genus Campomanesia

Abstract

Scope: Overexposure to the ultraviolet radiation may trigger the development of adverse health effects such as the appearance of burns, blemishes, skin aging and skin cancer. These harmful effects on health can be minimized with daily application of photoprotective products or multifunctional products. Medicinal plants may present potential for sun protection and among the species of Brazilian flora, we can highlight the species of the genus Campomanesia. In this context, the photoprotective potential of Campomanesia guazumifolia, Campomanesia sessiliflora, Campomanesia xanthocarpa and Campomanesia adamantium were evaluated.

Methods and results: The ethanolic extracts of C. guazumifolia (CG), C. sessiliflora (CS), C. xanthocarpa (CX) and C. adamantium (CA) showed absorption in the UVA and UVB regions. At the concentration of 8%, all the extracts presented sun protection factor (SPF) values higher than 2 and in the concentration of 4% only CA and CX. All plant extracts, alone or in combination, had increased the SPF with the incorporation of octyl methoxynnamate (OM). The samples that presented the highest SPF values contain the association of CA and CX. During the preliminary stability study, the formulations (SSPFOM4, SSPFCX4CA4OM4 and SSPFCX4CA4) presented SPF and pH values statistically different (p < 0.05) between temperatures.

Conclusion: The formulation SSPFCX4CA4 presented SPF values >6, so they present potential for photoprotective or multifunctional products.

Keywords: Assessment of SPF; Guabiroba; Guavira; Preliminary stability; Sete capote; Solar protection factor.