DETERMINATION OF THE IN VITRO SUN PROTECTION FACTOR (SPF)

AND THE EFFECT AGAINST LIPID PEROXIDATION OF AMAZONIAN

PLANT EXTRACTS
FORTE, A. L. S. A.(1), ZOGHBI, M. G. B.(2), FONSECA, M. J. V.(1)
(1)

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeiro Preto University of So Paulo, Ribeiro Preto, SP,
Brazil. (2) Emlio Goeldi Museum, Belm, PA, Brazil. alforte@fcfrp.usp.br

Keywords: Sun Protection Factor (SPF), Lipid Peroxidation, Amazonian plant extracts, Antioxidant
activity.
3. Results

1. Introduction

UV radiation is a potent initiator of reactive

oxygen species (ROS) in the skin that can result
in skin cancer and photoaging changes. ROS
attack membranes or lipoproteins starting lipid
peroxidation, which is particularly involved in
skin aging and other cutaneous damages. In this
regard, the efficacy of sunscreen products has
been recognized as an important public health
issue. It is known that optimized in vitro
screening methods may represent a fast and
reasonable tool reducing the number of in vivo

The

results

showed

that

the

evaluated

Amazonian plant extracts were efficient in the

inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a dose
dependent form. The 50% inhibition of the
system (IC50) values found for MM, EB and PH
extracts

were 1.7,

6.0

and 5.2 g/mL,

respectively. In addition, the FPS values were

10.7, 9.2 and 13.2 for MM, EB and PH extracts,
respectively. Moreover, at these concentrations,
the extracts did not present cytotoxicity.
4. Conclusion

experiments and risks related to UV exposure of

human subjects. Therefore, the purpose of this

In conclusion, our results suggest that the

study was to determine the In vitro SPF of

studied Amazonian plant extracts present potent

Miconia minutiflora (MM), Eugenia biflora

antioxidant activity and high SPF at nontoxic

(EB) and Protium heptaphyllum (PH) extracts

concentrations. Therefore, it can be assumed

and their effect on lipid peroxidation.

that after incorporated into topical formulations,

these

extracts

might

present

potential

applicability against UVB-induced oxidative

2. Methods

stress and also potential applicability in

The in vitro SPF was determined by the
spectrophotometric

method

developed

by

improving sunscreens.
Acknowledgments

(1)

Mansur . Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was

evaluated by the decrease of malondialdehyde
(MDA)

produced

viability

was

by

mitochondria.

assessed

by

Cell

References

3-(4,5-

dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
bromide (MTT) in mouse fibroblast cells (L929
line).

We thank FAPESP for financial support.

(1)

MANSUR, J.S., et al. Correlao entre a determinao do

fator de proteo solar em seres humanos e por

espectrofotometria. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, v. 61
(4): 167-172, 1986.