The study of antioxidant and sun protection properties of cassia alata leaves (galenggang) / Nurul Syazfeeza Samsudin

Synergistic effects of antioxidant and sunscreen agents have been intensively studied in recent years with regard of capability of UV radiation induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). High level of ROS can lead to development of diseases such as heart diseases, malaria, neurodegenerative diseases, AIDS, cancer and in the aging process. Antioxidants are substances that can prevent and repair the damage done by the ROS. This study had investigated the antioxidant activity and the in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) of Cassia alata leaves extract in a gel formulation. 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method was used to determine the antioxidant activity of methanol (CAME) and aqueous extract (CAAE) of C. alata. The sun protection factor was analyzed by using the diffuse transmittance method. Both extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity where CAME and CAAE need 31.62 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL respectively to achieve 50 % effective concentration (EC50). In SPF assay, CAAE and CAME of C. alata had the highest SPFs, i.e. 4.71 and 2.54, respectively at concentration 10 µg/mL.