18 Volumen XIX, Número 3 PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND EVALUATION OF PHOTOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF Syringodium filiforme KÜTZING

Abstract

Syringodium filiforme Kützing (Cymodoceaceae) is a marine seagrass abundant in Caribbean Sea, rich in phenolic compounds which have antioxidant properties and can provide new opportunities for treatment and prevention of diseases mediated by ultraviolet radiation like photoaging and skin cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and the photoprotective potential of S. filiforme leaf extracts . Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 72.85 ± 0.72 mg pyrogallol equivalents/g dry extract (PE) and 59.09 ± 0.45 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry extract (QE), respectively. The total anthocyanins content was 1.35 ± 0.02 mg malvidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents/g dry extract (ME). The extract showed photoprotector potential in the UVB region. The S. filiforme treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score, and a reorganization of the collagen fiber was observed compared with irradiated and not treated skin. These results suggest that the crude extract of S. filiforme leaves may be a promising natural sunscreen product.