Evaluation of In Vitro Solar Protection Factor (SPF), Antioxidant Activity, and Cell Viability of Mixed Vegetable Extracts from Dirmophandra mollis Benth, Ginkgo biloba L., Ruta graveolens L., and Vitis vinífera L.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate a HPLC method for the assay of flavonoids in extracts obtained from natural sources, i.e., from Dirmophandra mollis Benth, Ginkgo biloba L., Ruta graveolens L., and Vitis vinífera L. The potential sun protecting effect, antioxidant activity, and cell viability of the extracts were also determined. Individual extracts (obtained from each individual species) and a mixed extract (containing the four extracts) were analyzed by the validated HPLC method for the identification of flavonoids and quantification of rutin and quercetin. An in vitro cell viability study was carried out using the neutral red method. The in vitro sun protection factor was determined by spectral transmittance and in vitro antioxidant efficacy was evaluated against DPPH, ABTS, and AAPH radicals. The HPLC method used for the identification and quantification of flavonoids in extracts exhibited linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. Detection and quantification limits were, respectively, 2.881 ± 0.9 μg·mL−1 and 0.864 ± 0.9 μg·mL−1 for quercetin, and 30.09 ± 1 μg·mL−1 and 9.027 ± 1.1 μg·mL−1 for rutin. All extracts did not affect cell viability at the evaluated concentration range and exhibited a sun protection effect and antioxidant activity. Among the evaluated extracts, Ginkgo biloba L. and the mixed extract depicted the most expressive antioxidant activity. The mixed extract exhibited sunscreen protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) and a critical wavelength of 372.7 ± 0.1. Our results translate the enhanced flavonoids’ composition of the mixed extract, which may be a potential alternative over sunscreens and antioxidants in pharmaceutic/cosmetic formulations.

Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis of medicinal and food plants towards bioactive food and pharmaceutical resources

“…Previous data regarding the antioxidant capacities of sage, rosemary, rue, olive leaf, peppermint, parsley, and pomegranate leaf have been reported by several authors 12 , 14 , 18 , 22 , 26 , 31 , 36 . The IC 50 values of ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, as well as the EC 50 values of reducing powder regarding olive leaves ranged from 20.13 to 190.95 µg mL −1 , from 17.97 to 41.64 µg mL −1 , and from 90 to 216 µg mL −1 , arising from diverse extraction solvents 12 .…”

Red Propolis and Its Dyslipidemic Regulator Formononetin: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Gastroprotective Effects in Rat Model of Gastric Ulcer

“…The interest in natural products as sources of new drugs and therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases is increasingly growing. Among those sources, natural antioxidants from different plants (e.g., Dirmophandra mollis Benth, Ruta graveolens L., Ginkgo biloba L., Vitis vinifera L, Thymus zygis , Croton argyrophyllus Kunth, Hordeum vulgare, Dalbergia ecastophyllum, Origanum vulgare L.) are receiving particular attention [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Brazilian Red Propolis: Extracts Production, Physicochemical Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Profile for Antitumor Activity

“…A red variety of Brazilian propolis has been described in the last years, with the ethanolic extracts being enriched in isoflavones, mainly formononetin, daidzein, and biochanin A [7]. Studies have demonstrated that such hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts have potential antitumoral activity both in vitro [8,9] and in vivo [10][11][12][13][14][15].…”