Evaluation of the Photoprotective Potential and Antioxidant Activity of Plant Extracts from Restinga de Jurubatiba (Brazil)

Abstract

Dermatological damage caused by exposure to solar radiation drives the search for photoprotective formulations that can reach a wider public. Most of the current chemical UV filter formulations causes issues such as photoirritation, photosensitization, harmful hormonal activity to pregnant women, and interference in marine ecosystems caused by the buildup of these coumponds. Plant metabolites such as polyphenols and flavonoids have structural characteristics similar to the current UV filters. The study focused on the possibility of employing plant extracts collected in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) as UV photoprotectors. SPF analysis was performed in vitro by the Mansur method, and antioxidant activity by the reaction with DPPH by the Mensor method. Of the analyzed extracts, 7 species reached SPF >1 in 5% solutions, and a mixture containing 6 of them reached the highest SPF of 9.9, They were: Baccharis reticularia, Eugenia pruniformis, Myrsine rubra, Mysrine parvifolia, Eugenia sulcata, Myrcia amazonica , and Myrcia vittoriana. In the antioxidant activity test, Myrsine rubra had the highest activity, higher than ascorbic acid and Trolox standards. The bibliometric analysis results, there is a recognized knowledge gap regarding studying the photoprotective and antioxidant properties of these native plants from the Brazilian restinga.