Photoprotective Potential of Two Medicinal Plants: An In-vitro Evaluation of Sun Protection Factor and UV Absorption
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/ejas.1404.12119Keywords:
Salvia haematodes, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, sun protection factor, photoprotection, UV absorption, Division, Range, Beat, Field Gene Bank, Medicinal plants, Traded speciesAbstract
Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important environmental factor contributing to skin damage and photoaging. The search for naturally derived photoprotective agents has increased interest in medicinal plants as potential sources of UV-absorbing compounds. Salvia haematodes and Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus are medicinal plants with established traditional and pharmacological importance, but their potential as sources of natural photoprotective agents requires further investigation. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) of extracts and solvent fractions of S. haematodes root and P. thyrsiflorus flower and to identify fractions with promising photoprotective potential. Materials and Methods: Root material of S. haematodes and flower material of P. thyrsiflorus were extracted using methanol and subsequently subjected to solvent fractionation. The SPF of the prepared extracts and fractions was evaluated using UV–visible spectrophotometry at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Absorbance was measured within the UVB wavelength range of 290–320 nm at 5-nm intervals. Methanol was used as the blank, and measurements were performed in triplicate. SPF values were calculated using the Mansur spectrophotometric equation with a correction factor of 10. Results: The tested extracts and fractions demonstrated varying degrees of UVB-absorbing activity. Among the preparations evaluated, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of S. haematodes root showed the highest SPF values, 10.18 ± 0.12 and 9.63 ± 0.08, respectively, at 100 µg/mL. In comparison, the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of P. thyrsiflorus flower showed SPF values of 5.82 ± 0.05 and 4.16 ± 0.04, respectively. The results indicate comparatively greater photoprotective potential for the tested S. haematodes root fractions. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that selected solvent fractions of S. haematodes root possess appreciable in-vitro SPF activity, with the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showing the highest values among the tested samples. These findings suggest that S. haematodes may serve as a promising botanical source of photoprotective constituents. Further phytochemical investigation and formulation-based studies are needed to determine the suitability of these fractions for developing plant-derived photoprotective preparations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Md Ranzu Ahmed, Ramesh Kumar Santhanam, Israt Jahan, Omeo Kumar Ghosh, Md Jahangir Alam Sarker, Begum Rokeya, Khozirah Shaari, M Mosihuzzaman
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