Profile of bioactive compounds, photoprotective and antioxidant potential of Cinnamomum triplinerve (Ruiz & Pav) kosterm leaf extracts

Abstract

Plant extracts with photoprotective activity have been widely incorporated into cosmetics, especially as sunscreens, due to their proven ability to absorb UV radiation and neutralize free radicals generated in the skin after sun exposure. This study evaluated the photoprotective and antioxidant activities of 70% and 50% hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of Cinnamomum triplinerve leaves. The quantification of phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, hydrolyzable tannins, and total alkaloids by visible spectrophotometry. The photoprotective activity was determined in vitro by calculating the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), and the antioxidant potential was assessed through the phosphomolybdenum and reduction of DPPH^• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS^•+ (2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals. The extracts showed high SPF values (23.91 ± 0.27 to 25.65 ± 0.30 at 1000 µg.mL^-1) and significant antioxidant activity. The 70% hydroethanolic extract stood out, presenting the highest levels of phenols, proanthocyanidins, and alkaloids. The results suggest that the observed photoprotective and antioxidant potential are associated with the concentration of bioactive metabolites and highlight the leaf extract of C. triplinerve as a promising natural source for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.