In vitro determination of the sun protection factor (SPF) and photochemoprotection potential of aqueous extract of banana peels (Musa sp.) against UV-B radiation

Abstract

Highlights • Banana peels are sources of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical/cosmetic industries. • The use of peels by the industry can add economic value to this by-product and reduce pollution. • Aqueous extract (AE) of banana peels shows an unprecedented sun protection factor. • AE modulates collagen synthesis and maintains the morphology of fibroblasts exposed to UV-B. • Alternative methods to animal experiments were used. Abstract: Banana (Musa sp.) fruits have been investigated by the scientific community for their healing properties due to their composition in bioactive compounds. In this study, the aqueous extract (AE) of banana peels (Musa sp., cv. Prata Anã) was chemically characterized and investigated regarding its antioxidant and photochemoprotective potential against UV-B radiation in BALB/3T3 clone A31 mouse fibroblasts. The results showed the AE as a source of phenolic compounds, mainly gallic acid. Antioxidant activity of AE was demonstrated by its ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals and to reduce ferric-tripyridyltriazine complex. A sun protection factor (SPF) of up to 36.4 was determined through the Mansur equation. The AE revealed low cytotoxicity (96 ± 12% cell viability-100 µg/mL) to mouse fibroblasts and the determination of the photochemoprotective effect revealed preservation of collagen biosynthesis in cells exposed to UV-B (38.6 ± 7%), also contributing to the maintenance of cellular and nuclear morphologies. Thus, the AE of banana peels seems to be an interesting candidate for pharmaceutical/cosmetic formulations to combat skin's photoaging caused by UV-B radiation.