Flavonoid-Enriched Plant-Extract-Loaded Emulsion: A Novel Phytocosmetic Sunscreen Formulation with Antioxidant Properties

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a phytocosmetic sunscreen emulsion with antioxidant effect, containing a blend of flavonoid-enriched plant extracts. In vitro sun protection factor, antioxidant activity, skin irritation, photostability, cutaneous permeation, and retention of flavonoids were evaluated. Thermodynamically stable emulsions were obtained and tested for sensorial analysis after loading the blend of extracts. The selected emulsion was stable when stored at low temperatures (5 °C), for which after 120 days the concentration of quercetin and rutin were above their limit of quantification, i.e., 2.8 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 30.39 ± 0.39 μg/mL, respectively. Spreadability, low rupture strength and adhesiveness were shown to be similar to a conventional topical product. Higher brittleness, pseudo-plastic, and viscoelastic behaviors were also recorded for the developed phytocosmetic sunscreen. The product presented a critical wavelength of 387.0 nm and ultraviolet rays A and B (UVA/UVB) rate of 0.78, confirming that the developed formulation shows capacity for UVA/UVB protection, protecting skin against damages caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Rutin was shown to permeate the skin barrier and was also quantified in the stratum corneum (3.27 ± 1.92 μg/mL) by tape stripping and retention test (114.68 ± 8.70 μg/mL). The developed flavonoid-enriched phytocosmetic was shown to be non-irritant to skin by an in vitro assay. Our results confirm the antioxidant activity, sun protection, and physical properties of the developed phytocosmetic for topical application.

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].…”

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.

“…Antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids is widely known, and thus, flavonoids are widely studied as ingredients in cosmetic formulations against early skin aging by scavenging reactive oxygen species produced by sun radiation [4,22,51].…”

“…Continuing efforts in finding new sunscreens from natural products [22,23,24,25], the present study aimed at evaluating extracts of Dimorphandra mollis Benth, Ginkgo biloba L., Ruta graveolens L., and Vitis vinifera L., alone and as a mixture, as sunscreen filters using in vitro models.…”

Nanomaterials for Skin Delivery of Cosmeceuticals and Pharmaceuticals

“…The loading of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) within nano-sized drug delivery systems is being currently exploited to promote product innovation by developing nanoproducts. Nanoproducts used for the delivery of APIs to the skin (e.g., nanopharmaceuticals, nanocosmeceuticals) have already proven their efficacy as several products are already available on the market for the treatment of skin injuries (e.g., atopic dermatitis [2], skin cancer [3], skin burns [4], wound healing [4,5]), and protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiations [6][7][8][9][10]. Some examples of daily contact with nanomaterials are given in Figure 1.…”