In vitro photoprotective activity of the Spondias purpurea L. peel crude extract and its incorporation in a pharmaceutical formulation

• Extract and formulation showed excellent activity against UVA/UVB rays.
• The antioxidant activity obtained inhibition percentage equal to 74.41.
• HPLC–ESI–MSn analysis allowed the characterization of the five phenolic compounds.
• S. purpurea L. peel is an active ingredient for phytocosmetic formulations.

The fruits of Spondias purpurea are found in many parts of the world, where it is an important natural source of phenolic compounds such as tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. This study targets the photoprotective capacity of the S. purpurea L. peel crude extract (SPPE) against in vitro UVA and UVB rays and its incorporation in a sunscreen formulation as an active principle. The phenolic and flavonoid contents, scavenger radical activity (DPPH), antimicrobial activity and chemical analysis were also evaluated. The SPPE was shown to be effective against UVB (sun protection factor 43.78 ± 0.19 in dilution of 50 mg/mL) and UVA (protection comparable to the rutin and benzophenone-3, used as patterns). The phenolic and flavonoid contents were 28.68 ± 0.046 mg GAE/g and 2.64 ± 0.005 mg EQ/g extract, respectively. The antioxidant activity showed inhibition percentage equal to 74.41, with EC50 27.11 μg/mL. The high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn) analysis allowed the characterization of the compounds dicaffeoyl-glucose, HHDP-galloyl-glucose, galloyl-bis-HHDP-glucose, rutin and quercetin. The formulation containing 30% of extract showed excellent activity against UVA rays, with a protection percentage of 46.16 and UVB protection with SPF 43.01 ± 0.81 for dilution of 50 mg/mL.