The Cosmetic Potential of The Medicinal Halophyte Tamarix Gallica L. (Tamaricaceae) Growing in The Eastern Part of Algeria: Photoprotective and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

Aim and Objective: urrently, the use of ingredients from natural sources has gained great attention in the cosmetic field, especially for the development of new photoprotective formulations. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the cosmetic potential of the crude methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the medicinal halophyte Tamarix gallica L. (Tg) growing in the area of Tebessa in the eastern part of Algeria, by assessing their phenolic and flavonoid contents, photoprotective and antioxidant activities. Methods: The research approach consisted of determination phenolic and flavonoid contents of aerial parts via FolinCiocalteu and aluminum chloride methods respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured through two in vitro methods DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity test (TAC). The in vitro photoprotective effect was performed according to the parameter SPF (Sun Protection Factor) by using UV spectroscopic method in UV-B region (290-320 nm). Results: The methanol extract (Tg-MeOH) and ethyl acetate (Tg-EtOAc) fraction showed good antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 14.05±0.66, 27.58±1.98 μg/mL respectively in the DPPH test. Furthermore, both extracts displayed strong total antioxidant capacity (287.01±7.85, 246.7±1.12 mg AAE/g, respectively) in the TAC test. Both extracts exhibited high photoprotective activity, with sun protection factor (SPF) values 37.03±0.22 and 36.08±0.03. The antioxidant and photoprotective activities of these extracts were probably related to polyphenols content (190.27±0.74 mg AGE /g and 121.77±1.29 mg AGE /g, respectively) and flavonoids (78.75±0.06 mg QE /g and 58.67±1.19mg/g). Conclusion: Our finding show that extracts of Tamarix gallica L could be a promising source to be mixed as natural sunscreens and antioxidants agent into photoprotective cosmetic formulations.