Comparação do potencial fotoprotetor dos flavonoides quercetina e rutina: um estudo in vitro. / Wanessa Medeiros da Silva.

Abstract

Radiation can be defined as the irradiation of energy by any substance and can be divided between electromagnetic and nuclear radiation. Exacerbated exposure to ultraviolet radiation can harm our health and cause diseases such as skin cancer. An alternative to avoid this type of disease is to adopt the recurrent use of sunscreens, especially chemical ones, as they contain natural compounds in their composition. Flavonoids are a group of phenolics derived from the secondary metabolism of plants of great importance among natural products that have a photoprotective capacity. Quercetin is a flavonoid that can be isolated from apples, grapes, onions and leafy plants. Rutin is a flavonoid that can be found and extracted from tomatoes, beans, red wine, apples, black tea, onions, among others. The present study aimed to analyze the solar photoprotection factor, in vitro, of the flavonoids quercetin and rutin. The solution of the natural substance diluted in different concentrations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/mL was used and scans were performed in a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 290 to 320 nm with intervals of 5 nm every 5 minutes. The results were calculated according to the Mansur equation to determine the sun protection factor. Both flavonoids studied showed a photoprotective capacity with SPF greater than 6 at all concentrations, with those of 500 and 1000 μg/mL showing better results in both experiments with SPF=25. Therefore, the flavonoids quercetin and rutin can be classified as suitable for use in the production of natural sunscreens, by carrying out further experiments on its toxicity.