In vitro screening of the sunscreen potential of hydroalcoholic Erythrina variegata bark extract

Abstract

Aim: To screen the sunscreen activity of antioxidant Erythrina variegata bark extract. Materials and Methods: Methodology included procurement, standardization and extraction of the E. variegata bark extract, preliminary phytochemical screening, quantification of the total phenolic and flavonoid content, and further screening its sunscreen activity in comparison with the standard sunscreens as well as marketed formulations by determining the effective absorption spectra using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that the bark extract showed the presence of various phytoconstituents such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. The extent of phenolic constituents was found to be higher than that of flavonoids. Further the extract showed a greater absorption of UV light mainly in the UVA and UVB region as compared to standard para-aminobenzoic acid and benzophenone. The marketed sunscreen products containing chemical sunscreens showed the absorption curves in UVA as well as UVB regions hence the herbal extract matched the requirements of the absorption curves of the chemical sunscreens. Conclusions: Based on the preliminary research conducted, it can be concluded that the E. variegata bark extract possess a potential sunscreen activity by exhibiting effective absorption spectra in the harmful UV radiation range. Thus, the chemical sunscreen agents could be replaced with the herbal extracts to formulate highly effective sunscreen preparations which will enhance and effectively contribute to the UV absorbing properties thereby overcoming the discomfort and unwanted reactions associated with chemical sunscreens.