Inhibition of UV radiation by Piper cocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum

cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L., and Curcuma domestica Val. extracts

Fredy Kurniawan*, Widia Rachmawati, Debora Kartikasari

Laboratory of Instrumentation and Analytical Sciences, Chemistry Department, Faculty of

Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Arief Rahman
Hakim, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
*Corresponding author. Tel: +62 82141264818; fax: +62 31 5928314; email:
fredy@chem.its.ac.id

ABSTRACT
The extracts of Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea
batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L., and Curcuma domestica Val. have been studied for inhibition
of UV radiation. The various solvent was applied, i.e. methanol, ethanol and demineralized
water using maceration method. The behavior of the extracts on inhibition of UV-Vis
radiation have been characterized by fluorescence spectrometry. The fluorescence spectra
obtained that the excitation wavelength of water extracts of Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba
spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L., and Curcuma
domestica Val. are 200 – 300 nm, 200 – 350 nm, 200 – 400 nm, 325 – 350 nm, 320 – 350 nm
and 320 – 350 nm, respectively. The emission wavelength of water extracts of Piper
crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis
jalapa L., and Curcuma domestica Val.are occur at 300 – 750 nm, 650 – 720 nm, 350 – 750
nm, 650 – 700 nm, 620 – 720 nm and 620 – 700 nm, respectively. The extracts of Piper
crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis
jalapa L., and Curcuma domestica Val.are in methanol and ethanol also give similar spectra.
These results indicate that combination of the extracts obtained will absorb at all UV
radiation area which causes skin aging (i.e. UV-A (320-400 nm), UV-B (290-320 nm) and
UV-C (200-290 nm)) then emit the energy at near infra-red region (>750 nm). Therefore, the
combination of the extracts has high possibility to be used as a sunscreen that can protect the
skin completely from harmful UV radiation.

Keywords: Sunscreen, UV Radiation, Plant extract, Fluorescence, Skin Aging.

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1. Introduction
Skin aging are classified into intrinsic aging (chronology) and extrinsic aging
(photoaging) [1]. Intrinsic aging caused by the aging process in accordance with human life
and correlated with genetic factor. Intrinsic aging causes the skin became wrinkled and pale.
Whereas, extrinsic skin aging caused by external factor such as UV exposure. UV exposure
in long term causes degeneration of skin collagen [2], pathological disorders of skin such as
erythema, edema, hyperpigmentation, prematurely aged, and skin cancer [3].
UV rays are classified into UVA (320 – 400 nm), UVB (290 – 320 nm) and UVC
(200 – 290 nm) [3]. The distribution of UV rays on the earth are 90% of UVA, 5% of UVB
and 5% of UVC. The percentage of UV rays which entering on the earth surface based on the
thickness of ozone layer [4]. In the recent years, the depletion of ozone layer causes an
increasing of UV exposure on the earth surface. Hung and Chi Feng was reported that UVA
is an important factor on the radiation of UVB rays [5].
The mechanism of UV radiation on the skin involves free radical and reactive oxygen
species (ROS) [6]. The natural antioxidant can be drained by them, and causes reactive
oxidative stress. ROS is a singlet oxygen [7], superoxide, peroxide, hyperoxide and ICAL
RAD hydroxyl [8]. UVB with UVA produce superoxide, either directly or using enzyme
activation [6]. The effect of UVB on the DNA causing the formation of cyclobutane
pyrimidine dimers (CPDS) and low pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidine (6 – 4 PPs) photoproducts. If
the changing was not repaired, the DNA mutation on the epidermis cell lead to skin cancer
[9]. It encourages the researcher to explore correlation between the application of sunscreen
and skin cancer [10].
The sunscreen that commonly used only protect the skin from UVB rays [11]. It
makes the damage from UVA rays cannot be prevented and causing ROS will demolish the
natural antioxidant from the skin [12]. Based on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on
the June 14, 2011, sunscreen should be containing antioxidant compound which gives
protection from UVA and UVB rays [13]. The adding of antioxidant on the sunscreen is
recommended, because it can be minimalizing of skin damage which causes of sunlight
exposure. The sunlight exposure make the endogen antioxidant amount loss significantly
[14].
-carotene, one of carotenoid compound, is reducing effective singlet oxygen which
has high antioxidant activity [15]. The effect of carotenoid protective can protect (ex-vivo
and in vitro) the skin from UVA, UVB and infrared rays [16]. But, skin penetration still have

2
problem from the development of sunscreen which contain antioxidant [4]. Some of
sunscreen product causes toxicity risk or allergic on the skin. The plasma and urine on human
body which uses sunscreen that containing antioxidant was detected containing benzo-3-
phenone. It means that the sunscreen was containing the molecule which can be diffused on
the human skin [17]. The diffusion process of the molecule from sunscreen on the skin was
occurring because the molecular size. The molecular weight and lipophilicity of the
compound on sunscreen has important role on the skin penetration and sunscreen production
[11].
Phytochemical from plants can be used as sunscreen material and protect the skin
from UV radiation [2]. Polyphenol plants have ability to clean the strong radical on the
human body [3]. In the recent years, the ability of polyphenol plants towards UV rays give a
big attention on the research area [18]. The utilization of plants extract such Punica
granatum, Melissa officinalis, L. [3], Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome [2], and
Blackberry as sunscreen, have been reported. Flavonoid and phenylpropanoid content on the
Melissa officinalis, L. makes the ability as an antioxidant. On the 2016, Pérez-Sánchez
promote the extract of Melissa officinalis, L. as a sunscreen which can be preventing from
UVB-oxidative stress and the damage of DNA on the skin [3].
Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L.[19], Ipomea
batatas L.[20], Mirabilis jalapa L. [21], and Curcuma domestica Val. [22] contains flavonoid
and polyphenol compound which can be acted as antioxidant [23]. In this research, the effect
of skin protection towards UV rays from the extract of Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba
spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L., and Curcuma
domestica Val. will be studying based on fluorescence analysis.

2. Material and methods

2.1 Extraction of plants
Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L.,
Mirabilis jalapa L. and Curcuma domestica Val. rhizome obtained at Institut Teknologi
Sepuluh Nopember. The plants were dried on the 60°C around 48 hours and mashed into
powder. 0.4 gram of the powder was extracted by maceration method using 2 mL of solvents
(demineralized water, methanol, and ethanol) for 6 hours. The plant extracts (Table 1) ready
to analyze fluorescence spectrometry.

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Table 1. List of the plants that has been extracted

Plant Solvent Code of Sample

Piper crocatum Demineralized water A1
Methanol A2
Ethanol A3
Pisonia alba spanoghe Demineralized water B1
Methanol B2
Ethanol B3
Chrysophyllum cainito L Demineralized water C1
Methanol C2
Ethanol C3
Ipomea batatas L. Demineralized water D1
Methanol D2
Ethanol D3
Mirabilis jalapa L. Demineralized water E1
Methanol E2
Ethanol E3
Curcuma domestica Val. Demineralized water F1
Methanol F2
Ethanol F3

2.2 The characterization of plants extract using Fluorescence Spectrometry

The extract of Piper crocatum, Pisonia alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L.,
Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L., and Curcuma domestica Val. (table 1) was
characterized by fluorescence spectrometry (Perkin Elmer) using range of wavelength 200 –
500 nm (excitation) and 200 – 800 nm (emision).

3. Results and discussion

3.1 The characterization of water extract using Fluorescence Spectrometry
The ability of Piper crocatum (A1), Pisonia alba spanoghe (B1), Chrysophyllum
cainito L. (C1), Ipomea batatas L. (D1), Mirabilis jalapa L. (E1), dan Curcuma domestica
Val. (F1) extract to block the UV rays was measured by fluorescence spectrometry (Figure
1). Based on excitation and emission spectra, extract of A1, B1, C1, D1, E1 and F1 was
indicated to prevent the radiation of UVC (<290), UVB (290 – 320 nm), UVA (>320 nm) and
visible (350 – 700 nm). It is due to the component on the A1, B1, and C1 extracts have ability
to absorb at 200 – 300 nm (UVC and UVB radiation area). Whereas, the component on the

4
D1, E1, and F1 extracts have ability to absorb at 300 – 350 nm (UVA radiation area). The
prevention of visible rays from the extract was caused by emission on > 350 nm. The extracts
also have flavonoid and polyphenol compounds which has function as antioxidant [19]. The
antioxidant component on the sunscreen can be minimalizing the skin damage which caused
of sunlight exposure. The sunlight exposure causes the endogen of antioxidant amount on the
skin was releases significantly [15].

600

500
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)

400
A1
B1
300 C1
D1
E1
200
F1

100

0
200 250 300 350 400 450

Excitation Wavelength (nm)

(a)
700

600
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)

500
A1
400 B1
C1
D1
300
E1
F1
200

100

0
300 400 500 600 700 800

Emission Wavelength (nm)

(b)

Figure 1. Fluorescence spectra of excitation (a) and emission (b) of Piper crocatum (A1),
Pisonia alba spanoghe (B1), Chrysophyllum cainito L. (C1), Ipomea batatas L. (D1),

5
Mirabilis jalapa L. (E1), dan Curcuma domestica Val. (F1) extract using demineralized water
as solvent.

3.2 The characterization of methanol extract using Fluorescence Spectrometry

900

800
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)

700

600
A2
500 B2
C2
400
D2
300
E2
F2
200

100

0
240 280 320 360 400

Excitation Wavelength (nm)

(a)

900

800
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)

700

600 A2
B2
500 C2
D2
400 E2
F2
300

200

100

0
575 600 625 650 675 700 725
Emission Wavelength (nm)

(b)

Figure 2. Fluorescence spectra of excitation (a) and emission (b) of Piper crocatum (A1),
Pisonia alba spanoghe (B1), Chrysophyllum cainito L. (C1), Ipomea batatas L. (D1),
Mirabilis jalapa L. (E1), dan Curcuma domestica Val. (F1) extract using methanol as
solvent.

Figure 2(a) shows that the A2, B2, and C2 extracts have a good potential to block
UVC rays radiation (< 290 nm). It is due to A2, B2, and C2 have ability to absorb at < 240

6
nm. Whereas, the extract of F2 has a good potential to block UVB (290 – 320 nm) because
has ability to absorb at 280 – 320 nm. The excitation of D2 and E2 extract show at UVA rays
radiation area (> 320 nm). Therefore, A2, B2, C2, D2, E2 and F2 extract can be used to
replace ZnO compound on the sunscreen.
The emission of A2, D2, E2, and F2 extract on Figure 2(b) indicate that the extracts
have ability to block visible rays (350 – 700 nm) and near infrared rays (<750 nm). The
radiation of UV rays more dangerous than visible rays. But, the component of sunscreen
which has ability to block visible rays will be giving good effectively of sunscreen. The
effectiveness of sunscreen not only based on the compound which can block the rays, but the
antioxidant component on the extract have good role on the sunscreen [11]. Antioxidant
component on the extracts was obtained from Curcuma domestica Val rhizome (C2).
Nakayama et. al., explain that the isolation of curcuma compound from Curcuma domestica
Val. rhizome using methanol as solvent has a good stability of antioxidant than using ethanol
[24].

3.3 The characterization of ethanol extract using Fluorescence Spectrometry

Ethanol extract indicate to block UVB was F3 extract. It is due to the excitation of F3
extract was at 280 – 320 nm (Figure 3(a)). Whereas, A3, B3, C3, D3 and E3 were excited at
325 – 350 nm. It shows that the extracts can be used as sunscreen, but the ability of the
extracts only to block UVB (290 – 320 nm) and UVA (> 320 nm) rays.
Figure 3(b) shows that the extracts have ability to block visible and near infrared rays.
It because of the extracts can absorb at 500 – 725 nm. Therefore, the ethanol extract less
effective to be used as sunscreen. It is due to the extract cannot block UVC rays.

7
 800

700
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)
600

500

400 A3
B3
300 C3
D3
200 E3
F3
100

0
200 250 300 350 400
Excitation Wavelength (nm)
(a)

900

800
Fluorescence Intensity (a.u)

700
A3
600 B3
C3
500
D3
400 E3
F3
300

200

100

0
575 600 625 650 675 700 725

Emission Wavelength (nm)

(b)

Figure 3. Fluorescence spectra of excitation (a) and emission (b) of Piper crocatum (A1),
Pisonia alba spanoghe (B1), Chrysophyllum cainito L. (C1), Ipomea batatas L. (D1),
Mirabilis jalapa L. (E1), dan Curcuma domestica Val. (F1) extract using ethanol as solvent.

4. Conclusion
Combination of the water, methanol and ethanol extracts of Piper cocatum, Pisonia
alba spanoghe, Chrysophyllum cainito L., Ipomea batatas L., Mirabilis jalapa L.,dan
Curcuma domestica Val. have a potential to block UVC (< 320 nm), UVB (290 – 320 nm),

8
UVA (> 320 nm), visible (350 – 700 nm) and near infrared (< 750 nm) rays. Therefore, the
extracts can be used as natural sunscreen.

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