Herbal
Cosmeceuticals for Photoprotection from Ultraviolet B
Radiation: A
Review
AK Mishra1,2*, A
Mishra1,3 and P Chattopadhyay1
1Central
Facility of Instrumentation, IFTM-Pharmacy College,
Moradabad 244001, 2Institute of Pharm. Sci. &
Research, Bhagwant University, Ajmer-305004, 3Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Birla Institute of
Technology, Ranchi-835215, India.
For correspondence:
E-mail:
arun_azam@rediffmail.com
Received: 20 September
2010 Revised
accepted: 10 April 2011
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June 2011;
10(3):
351-360
doi:
10.4314/tjpr.v10i3.7
Abstract
Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays vary with time and season and
are the major cause of sunburns. Sunburned skin is a
leading risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma skin
cancers. Protection against exposure to UVB rays may be
achieved by a combination of various approaches such as
use of broad
spectrum sunscreen formulations.
UV radiations (UVR) absorbed
by the skin surface can produce harmful compounds called
free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which
can cause skin cancer and premature aging.
To reduce ROS generation and
damage, researchers recommend using
sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UVR.
The realm of
possibilities in photoprotection
may include the development of
sunscreens which remain
at the surface of the skin for a longer time and
may incorporate antioxidants that can
neutralize ROS. By quenching free radicals,
antioxidants may aid photoprotection effect. This review
focuses on photoprotection from UVB radiation and
discusses potential herbal candidates with antioxidant
properties that can serve as a strong barrier in
cosmeceuticals
to protect skin against harmful UVB rays.
Keywords:
Cosmeceutials; Herbs; Reactive oxygen species (ROS);
Photoprotection; Antioxidant activity; Ultraviolet
radiations
