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Abstract
Over-exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is a major environmental risk factor for skin cancer. Shortcomings associated with the use of synthetic sunscreens can be overcome by the use of herbal based sunscreens. Plant phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) activity, however their hydrophilic nature limits their ability to penetrate into deeper areas of the skin thereby affecting their bioavailability. The aim of this study was to formulate phytosomes with antioxidant and SPF activity using ethanolic extracts of Agave americana americana and Agave americana marginata leaves. Soxhlet extraction was used to extract phytochemicals from dried leaves. The presence of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins were confirmed using various tests. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay while SPF activity was determined using UV spectroscopy. Phytosomes were formulated and characterized for size, Polydispersity Index (PDI) and zeta potential. A. americana americana had a higher content of flavonoids, phenols, and tannins which also resulted in better antioxidant activity (IC50) 4.77 μg/ml versus 5.66 μg/ml and SPF activity of 9.95 versus 5.84, when compared to A. americana marginata. The phytosome formulations using A. americana americana had SPF activity of 9.96 to 13.3 with 40 mg extract and 60 mg soy lecithin having the highest activity. This formulation had the smallest particle size of 91nm, PDI and zeta potential of 0.235 and -4.95, respectively. These results indicate the formulation of the extracts into phytosomes enhances their SPF activity.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
