UVA-UVB Photoprotective Activity of Topical Formulations Containing Morinda citrifolia Extract

• Main Authors: Mairim Russo Serafini, Cassia Britto Detoni, Paula dos Passos Menezes, Rose Nely Pereira Filho, Vanessa Silveira Fortes, Maria José Fonseca Vieira, Sílvia Stanisçuaski Guterres, Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque Junior, Adriano Antunes de Souza Araújo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2014-01-01
• Series: BioMed Research International
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/587819

Exposure to solar radiation, particularly its ultraviolet (UV) component, has a variety of harmful effects on human health. Some of these effects include sunburn cell formations, basal and squamous cell cancers, melanoma, cataracts, photoaging of the skin, and immune suppression. The beneficial photoprotective effects of topical formulations with the extract, Morinda citrifolia, have not been investigated. This present study aims to investigate the potential benefits of M. citrifolia topical application on the dorsal skin of mice, exposed to UVA-UVB light. Using 7 days of treatment, [before (baseline values) and 20 h after UV exposure], the thickness, skin barrier damage (TEWL), erythema, and histological alterations were evaluated. The results showed that the formulations containing the extract protected the skin against UV-induced damage.