Vuyisile Samuel Thibane
Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable and Ornamental Plant, South Africa
Title: Phytochemistry and cosmetic potential of some medicinal plants in the beauty and healthcare industry of South Africa
Biography
Biography: Vuyisile Samuel Thibane
Abstract
The prolonged exposure of the skin to sun radiation can have undesired consequences, resulting in skin damage and darkening. Plant extracts that can offer protection to the skin are important in skin rehabilitation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to test plant extracts for their phytochemical potential and cosmetic potential. Extracts of 15 medicinal plants from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa used for beauty and healthcare were evaluated for their total phenolic content, flavonoid content, anti-tyrosinase activity and absorption of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) light, used to calculate their sun protection factor (SPF). Methanolic extracts from Ruta graveolens L, Aloe ferox Mill, Ilex mitis (L.) Radlk, Cassipourea flanaganii (Schinz) Alston and Rorippa nasturtium (L.) Hayek had higher total phenolic content of 29.98 (0.40), 37.88 (0.19), 44.15 (0.14), 49.45 (0.21) and 53.86 (0.18) mg GAE/g, respectively. The flavonoid content was the highest for Plantago lanceolate L at 5.06 (0.14) mg CE/g. The percentage inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme ranged between 29 – 74% for all tested plant extracts. The photo protective effect of the plant extracts was exhibited by C. flanaganii, I. mitis, Arctotis arctotoides (L.f.) O. Hoffm and P. lanceolate with SPF values above 15. A number of the tested plant extracts showed good potential for use in cosmetic and their combined use can enhance their activity.