Development of a new phytocosmetic with anti-aging properties from the agave sisalana extract

• Grant number: 15/22314-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): April 02, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Ethnopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Lucinéia dos Santos
• Grantee: Nadine Mendes Nascimento
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation can pass through the ozone layer and reach the skin, causing irreversible damage to cells. Such damage to the skin that invests the cell membrane and its DNA, and which causes cellular aging can be avoided with using sunscreens. However, photoprotective also can cause skin irritation. In order to reduce these effects, plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds are being used in cosmetic formulations with synthetic sunscreens to promote their antioxidant and photoprotective activities, protect the skin against solar radiation and avoid cellular aging. Brazil is the largest producer of Agave sisalana, a monocot knew as sisal, and previous studies, including some developed in our laboratory, have confirmed the antioxidant and photoprotective action of its root, besides demonstrating high concentrations of tannins and flavonoids. Given this results, this project aims to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of sisal's root to establish the safety of its use and, then, develop a stable emulsion enriched with the hydroalcoholic extract of sisal's roo and perform the evaluation the emulsion's antioxidant and anti-aging activities, as well the quantification of its flavonoids and condensed tannins. Furthermore, it's a purpose to determine in vitro the photoprotective action of different emulsions with the extract and perform its quality control. This project is a cooperation between UNESP and the SECTI (UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista; SECTI - Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação da Bahia) and seeks a technical-scientifical solution, economically feasible, for the use of sisal waste which has been mostly discarded; it also seeks sustainable development and social promotion of the sisal-producing region, which lies among the country's poorest areas.