Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3835

Review

Flavonoids as photoprotective agents: A systematic review

José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
  • José Marcos Teixeira de Alencar Filho
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Pedrita Alves Sampaio
  • Pedrita Alves Sampaio
  • Central de Análises de Fármacos, Medicamentos e Alimentos (CAFMA), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
  • Emanuella Chiara Valença Pereira
  • Central de Análises de Fármacos, Medicamentos e Alimentos (CAFMA), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Raimundo Gonçalves de Oliveira Júnior
  • Raimundo Gonçalves de Oliveira Júnior
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Fabrício Souza Silva
  • Fabrício Souza Silva
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Jackson Roberto Guedes da Silva Almeida
  • Jackson Roberto Guedes da Silva Almeida
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Larissa Araújo Rolim
  • Larissa Araújo Rolim
  • Central de Análises de Fármacos, Medicamentos e Alimentos (CAFMA), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Xirley Pereira Nunes
  • Xirley Pereira Nunes
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Edigênia Cavalcante da Cruz Araújo
  • Edigênia Cavalcante da Cruz Araújo
  • Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Plantas Medicinais (NEPLAME), Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 13 October 2016
  •  Accepted: 05 December 2016
  •  Published: 20 December 2016

Abstract

There is a growing need for research of photoprotective molecules from natural sources. Flavonoids have shown significant absorption in ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) region, due to their chemical structure with conjugated double bonds, and may be used as ingredients in cosmetics formulations for skin protection. This systematic review reports what has been researched over the past decade on flavonoid and photoprotective activity, as well as some mechanisms of action by which these metabolites act. The search was conducted in three databases (Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus) using the descriptors “flavonoid”, “photoprotection” and “sunscreen” combined, published between January 2006 and January 2016. Twenty-two articles were selected and 17 flavonoids were cited. The data reviewed here indicate that flavonoids are potential in the fight against UVA and UVB radiation and which may be used as adjuvants in photoprotective formulations.

Key words: Ultraviolet (UV), induced damage, natural products, flavonoids photoprotective activity, ultraviolet radiation.