Preliminary studies of the cytotoxicity and photoprotective properties of benzophenone and lactone derivatives

Abstract

Ultraviolet solar radiation can generate free radicals that damage skin and cause skin lesions or skin cancer. Sunscreens are a protective measure against the effects of solar radiation that protects the skin by absorbing or reflecting solar rays. Ideally, the sunscreen should protect the skin against UVB (290-320 nm) and UVA (320-400 nm) rays, be photostable and non-toxic. This work describes a preliminary study on the SPF of a benzophenone and a lactone derivative. The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, submitted to cell viability assays against MTT and SPF determined in vitro by UV/VIS spectroscopy measurements. The spectroscopic data was in agreement with the proposed structures of the compounds studied. The SPF was proportional to concentration, and in one case, the sun protection factor was lower at higher concentrations. The benzophenone derivatives were evaluated for toxicity by a cell viability study, and found to be non-cytotoxic at the tested concentrations.