Development, stability and efficacy of sunscreens containing Matricaria chamomilla extract or its isolated components.

Author(s)

Luciana da Silva Freitas

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2011-04-20

Examining board members

Patricia Maria Berardo Gonçalves Maia Campos; Monica Maruno

• Advisor: Patricia Maria Berardo Gonçalves Maia Campos

Abstract

Particular plant extracts are being increasingly studied for their properties, in order to combine their potential to minimize skin photoaging effects from the action of free radicals with photoprotection provided by sunscreens. Despite of the widespread use of various plant extracts, some of them as it is the case of Matricaria chamomilla still need mored detailed studies especially on their properties and biological effects on skin, especially in dermocosmetic formulations. The aim of the present study was to assess the stability and the preclinical efficacy of sunscreen formulations containing M. chamomilla extract or its isolated components, alpha-bisabolol and apigenin, in the protection from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. For this purpose, the physical stability in a pre-determined SPF formulation added of the active substances under study was determinated. Other sunscreen formulations were developed and supplemented with chamomile extract or alpha-bisabolol, and these were tested for centrifugation stability, pH and visual analysis. Physical stability of the most stable formulations was estimated by rheological measurements. The chemical stability of the formulations containing chamomile extract, apigenin, and bisabolol was determinated by High Efficiency Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). These formulations with chamomile extract, apigenin or alpha-bisabolol were finally evaluated in terms of preclinical efficacy. In this study, hairless mice were submitted to UV radiation and the protective effect of the formulations was evaluated using noninvasive biophysics techniques and image analysis, in which we obtained measures of erythema, the water content of stratum corneum, transepidermal water loss, the echogenicity and the thickness of the dermis. The results allowed selecting physicallystable formulations for both the combinations of UV-filters associated containing the actives substances under study. In the chemical stability study, the apigenin present in the extract was more stable when compared to the other active substances under study and the bisabolol showed a low chemical stabilitity. All the formulations were effective in the transepidermic water-loss reduction. The effects of these formulations on skin were very positive since all of them led to ecogenicity increases and lower thickness values when compared to irradiated regions. These results showed significant effects in the improvement of the inflammatory process caused by radiation. Finally, the formulations developed were stable and effective in the skin protection. In addition, when the chamomile extract or apigenin was present in the formulation the photoprotective effects were more pronounced. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/07099-4 - Stability and efficacy of sunscreens formulations with Matricaria chamomilla extract and your isolated components
• Grantee: Luciana da Silva Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master