Photoprotective Agents Obtained from Aromatic Plants Grown in Colombia: Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Assessment of Cytotoxic Potential in Cancer Cell Lines of Cymbopogon flexuosus L. and Tagetes lucida Cav. Essential Oils

Abstract

Photoprotective agents obtained from plants provide benefits for the health of the skin. The present study aims to assess the total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro UV-protective properties of twelve essential oils (EOs) from plants grown in Colombia and to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of two species identified as photoprotective potentials: Cymbopogon flexuosus and Tagetes lucida. The composition of EOs was studied by GC/MS. The cytotoxicity of both EOs was examined using an MTT assay, and an H2-DCFDA probe was employed to estimate the intracellular production of ROS in HepG2 and Calu-1 cells. Major constituents (≥10%) were neral, geranial, geranyl acetate in C. flexuosus and estragole in T. lucida. The TPC for C. flexuosus and T. lucida EOs were ≥10 mg GAE/g byproduct. Both EOs showed photoprotective properties (SPFin vitro: 13–14), and long-wavelength UVA protection (λc > 370 nm). HepG2 and Calu-1 cells exposed to C. flexuosus exhibited antiproliferative activity (˂50%) at 125 µg/mL, while T. lucida was at 250 and 500 µg/mL. The IC50 values for C. flexuosus were 75 and 100 µg/mL in HepG2 and Calu-1 cells, respectively, whereas those for T. lucida were >250 µg/mL. These EOs achieved significant inhibitory effects (between 15.6 and 40.4%) against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The results showed that EO compounds recognized as antioxidants could counteract the effects elicited by H2O2.

Exploring the Potential of Extracts from Sloanea medusula and S. calva: Formulating Two Skincare Gels with Antioxidant, Sun Protective Factor, and Anti-Candida albicans Activities

“…Additionally, as a complement to SPF, three photoprotective parameters were evaluated following the methodology employed by Caballero-Gallardo et al [ 29 ]. Values of the UVA/UVB ratio, the transmission of erythema (%), and the transmission of pigmentation (%) showed the photoprotective potential of both extracts.…”

“…Currently, the photoprotective properties of extracts [ 58 ], essential oils [ 29 ], and secondary metabolites [ 59 ] are being explored, and the antifungal activity of these natural extracts [ 60 ] and compounds [ 61 ] has highlighted the potential of Colombian flora for the development of topical formulations.…”

“…The CF value was determined so that a standard sunscreen formulation containing 8% homosalate would have an SPF value of 4, measured by UV spectrometry [ 79 ]. SPF values between 2–15 indicate low protection against UV rays, values between 15–30 indicate moderate protection, values between 30–50 indicate high protection, and values greater than 50 indicate maximum protection against UV rays [ 29 ].…”

Helosciadium crassipes Koch (Apiaceae) extracts as natural sunscreen and preservative additives

“…A (λ): absorbance at wavelength λ. The broad spectrum photoprotection is considered when λc ≥ 370 nm (Caballero-Gallardo et al, 2022). No protection against UV radiation when λc< 325 nm (Kurzawa et al, 2022).…”

In Vitro Activity of Essential Oils Distilled from Colombian Plants against Candidaauris and Other Candida Species with Different Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles

“…In 2020 there were 30,014 recorded plant species, of which 6499 were endemic [ 12 ]. The enormous biodiversity of Colombia becomes an invaluable source of natural bioactive compounds [ 13 ], within which it may be possible to find some active compounds against clinically relevant fungi, including multi-drug or pan-drug resistant species. Lippia origanoides and L. alba (both from the Verbenaceae family), growing in various countries of South America, including Colombia [ 12 , 13 ], are some of the most studied neo-tropical plants due to the different biological activities that their EOs have displayed, including antifungal properties [ 14 ].…”