Citation:
Abstract:
Recently, plant-derived extracts gained considerable attention as skincare agents, because of their capacity to exert a broad spectrum of biological activities, including their power to absorb ultraviolet radiation, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic properties. In this context, the study focused on the evaluation of in vitro pharmacological activities of the methanolic extract obtained from the species Linaria scariosa. The plant is used by the local populations of Aures region (Algeria) for wound healing and its traditional applications will be validated. The quantification of the total phenolic and flavonoid content was performed spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu and trichloroaluminum methods. The antioxidant activity was determined by four different assays including ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity, ferric thiocyanate assay and the antioxidant activity by potentiometric method. Furthemore, the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by albumin denaturation method, the photoprotective effect was evaluated by the measurment of sun protection factor (SPF) and the hemostatic activity was carried out by the determination of plasma re-calcification time (PRT). Result of the phytochemical screening from the methanolic extract was found to contain several secondary metabolites known for their biological properties. Moderate contents of polyphenols and flavonoids were estimated. The MeOH extract possessed moderate antioxidant activity for various tested assays and had the ability to inhibit thermally-induced protein denaturation in a dose-dependent manner with a percentage of 40.98% at 500 μg/ml. Moreover, this plant extract significantly shortened the clotting time compared to the control group and had a higher capacity to absorb UV radiations with a sun protection factor estimated at 38.46 ± 0.22. The methanolic extract from L. scariosa could be used in cosmetic formulations and as a skin care agent