Abstract:
The potential use of Pterocarpus marsupium in cosmetics and cosmeceutical or in sun screening products has not been investigated. This study was to formulate an herbal cream enriched with extracts of Pterocarpus marsupium bark and evaluate its sun screening and radical scavenging activities. Oven-dried powdered bark of Pterocarpus marsupium was extracted with 80% aqueous methanol. The freeze-dried extract was incorporated with a cream base in different proportions to produce F1 (1.6%), F2 (1.9%), F3 (2.7%) formulations and their stability was observed for 45 days. These formulations were evaluated for radical scavenging, sun screening activities and each compared to negative and positive controls. The in-vitro radical scavenging activity was assessed using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and the in-vitro sun screening activity was determined in terms of SPF (Sun Protective Factor) by spectrophotometric method of Mansur. Significantly higher radical scavenging activity (p<0.05) was present in F1 (11.19 ± 0.47 mmol TE/100 g cream), F2 (12.53 ± 0.59 mmol TE/100 g cream), F3 (14.94 ± 0.51 mmol TE/100 g cream) formulations compared to mean difference of positive control (2.13 ± 0.58 mmol TE (Trolox Equivalent)/100 g cream), negative control (0.06±0.01 mmol TE/100g cream). Sun screening activity of F1 (2.74 ± 0.17), F2 (3.33 ± 0.21), F3 (3.85 ± 0.21) formulations showed significant difference (p<0.05) compared to mean difference of positive control (SPF 40+), negative control (0.00±0.00) at 2 mg/ml concentration. F1, F2, and F3 formulations had pH in the range 6.06-5.91 and were salmon pink colored in physical appearance, homogeneous with good spread-ability throughout the 45-day period. The formulations F1, F2, and F3 were with appealing texture had promising radical scavenging activity and potential to act as sunscreens.
