Anti-melanogenic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa

Abstract

Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Malvaceae, is traditionally cultivated for its stem, leaves, calyces, and seeds as all parts have industrial, medicinal, and cosmetic applications. Likewise, there are many works on the biological properties of the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa due to its high content of polyphenolic compounds. Using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, the total polyphenol content of an aqueous extract of a sample from Guatemala was found to be 15.97 ± 0.49 mg GAE/g. The presence of ten phenolic acids, ten flavonoids, and two anthocyanins was determined by 1 H NMR analysis. The anti-melanogenic activity assay of the aqueous extract showed inhibition of the tyrosinase activity (IC50 3.53 ± 0.16 μg/ml) and inhibition of the melanin production (IC50 3.90 ± 0.17 μg/ml) in the B16F10 cell line. Finally, the aqueous extract showed an inhibition of NO production with an IC50 of 4.72 ± 0.34 μg/ml and 3.62 ± 0.36 μg/ml in the RAW 264.7 and B16F10 cell lines, respectively. Our results allowed us to identify those polyphenolic compounds present in the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa whose synergic effect increases the anti-melanogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract.