Abstract

Development of Herbal Sunscreen Cream Enriched with Antioxidants from Canna (red) Flowers and Evaluation of in Vitro Sunscreening and Antioxidant Activity

Author(s): Sujeewa Krishanthi Hettihewa* , Shakthi Apsara Thejani Opatha

The aim of the present study was to develop herbal sunscreen cream enriched with antioxidants extracted from flowers of Canna (red) grown in Sri Lanka and, evaluate in vitro sunscreening, radical scavenging and antioxidant activity. The crude extract prepared was subjected to quantitative analysis of total phenolic, flavonoid contents, in vitro radical scavenging activity, antioxidant activity and sunscreening activity. Different formulations were prepared by incorporating freeze dried powder of flower extract and were tested for the physical stability parameters to select the most stable formulation, followed by evaluating antioxidant and sunscreening activities. The results of the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the extract were 5389.067±681.343 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g and 6017.442±158.343 mg Catechin equivalents (CAE)/100 g dry weight (DW) of flowers. The extract revealed promising sunscreening activity (SPF=32.75) at the concentration of 1 mg/ml. The results of the SPF of formulated cream was determined as 37.73 at the concentration of 7 mg/ml of cream. The formulated herbal cream was found to be homogenous, semi-solid, washable and pink caramel colour with pleasant odor and the pH 6 to 7. Physical stability parameters of the herbal cream showed no remarkable variation during 45 days. It is concluded that the formulated cream has promising sunscreening and antioxidant activity and can be commercialized as novel herbal sunscreen cream.