Development of photoprotective creams with antioxidant polyphenolic herbal extracts

摘要

Herbs having polyphenolic constituents are antioxidant in nature and are used for combating the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiations thus producing photoprotective effects. The herbs selected were turmeric (dried rhizomes) and pomegranate (dried seeds) which could produce photo protective effect. The alcoholic extracts were produced by continuous hot extraction method taking 90% v/v ethyl alcohol and preliminary phytochemical identification tests were performed for the detection of constituents. Total polyphenol content of the extracts was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method and antioxidant effect by reducing power estimation method in which the antioxidant activity of extract was compared with that of standard (ascorbic acid). Creams were developed taking 0.5, 1 and 2% extracts individually and evaluated for physicochemical parameters and long term skin hydration studies. Present studies showed that the selected herbal extracts have photoprotective properties in which the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Punica granatum extract was obtained higher than Curcuma longa extract. The skin hydration studies of P. granatum extract loaded creams show significantly improved hydration as compared to Curcuma longa extract loaded creams.