Desenvolvimento de formulações cosméticas contendo o extrato de Prosopis juliflora e avaliação das atividades antioxidante e antitirosinase

Abstract

The rich biodiversity of plant species in Brazil enables studies for the development of products containing natural compounds. Prosopis juliflora, popularly known as mesquite, is a plant brought from Peru, widespread in the Brazilian Caatinga where it has become an invasive species. Studies report antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimalarial, and antitumor actions among others. Such activities are related to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins and flavonoids, present in different parts of this plant. Some of these metabolites can be used by the cosmetic industry as active ingredients for application in different activities. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antityrosinase activity of P. juliflora fruit extract and develop cosmetic formulations containing this extract with the aim of harmonizing skin color. To this end, the extract obtained using previously standardized methodologies was evaluated for the concentration of phenolic compounds (0.21 ± 0.01 mg EAG/g) and total flavonoids (1.71 ± 0.26 µg EQ/mg). Furthermore, the extract under study was characterized using LC-MS-TOF. The in vitro safety of the extract was evaluated using cellular cytotoxicity tests and the samples did not show cytotoxic effects. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using different methodologies and demonstrated the ability to block the oxidation cascade in the initiation and propagation phases. The antityrosinase action was evaluated using enzymatic methodology and the extract showed an inhibition activity of 62.48 ± 2.09 at a concentration of 30.00 mg/mL. Formulations with Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Distilled Water, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Lecithin, Polyacrylamide (and) C13-14 Isoparaffin (and) Laureth-7 and 3.00% of the studied plant extract were subjected to preliminary and accelerated stability tests. The formulations were stable in accelerated stability tests after a period of 60 days. This research, in addition to contributing scientifically by demonstrating the use of a Caatinga plant in antioxidant cosmetic products and for homogenizing skin color, will also contribute to adding value to the P. juliflora production chain, giving value to aspects of Brazilian environmental, social and biodiversity responsibilities.