Sun protection potential determination of medicinal plants

Solar radiation is associated with problems such as skin cancer and early photoaging (Xiao et al., 2018). As a preventive and skin protective, synthetic compounds are used in various cosmetic products. However, the toxicity of these compounds is a major concern since it can cause health problems (Cefali et al., 2019). Plants exposed to high levels of solar radiation produce compounds to defend themselves from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress. Therefore, plants offer a source of UV protecting compounds that can be used in cosmetic products (Nunes et al., 2018). This study aims to determine the solar protection potential of Pterospartum tridentatum and Melilotus indicus. Aqueous and methanolic extracts (80:20, V/V) of each plant were prepared and subjected tophytochemical screening. Colorimetric methods were also used to determine antioxidant activity in vitro (DPPH assay, Iron Chelating Activity (ICA) and Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC) content), absorption coefficient and sun protection factor (SPF).