Determination of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and antioxidant capacity of Tanacetum parthenium

The aim of the present study was to determine SPF values and antioxidant capacity of Tanacetum parthenium (Asteraceae), parthenolide and parthenolide free T. parthenium.

Products, with high SPF values protect the skin from harmful UV rays (1). SPF were determined according to Mansur et al (2). 100 and 200 µg/mL concentrations of samples were scanned at wavelength 290 – 320nm and three replicates were made and results were obtained between 0.88 – 2.34 (200 µg/mL).

Products with antioxidant capacity delay skin aging. In this study, antioxidant capacities of methanolic extracts prepared at 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 µg/mL concentrations of parthenolide -containing or -free Tanacetum parthenium and parthenolide were tested with 4 different methods. The most effective concentration was found at 500 µg/mL. Values are given in the table below.

Tab. 1

	Tanacetum parthenium	Parthenolide	Parthenolide free T. parthenium
DPPH	87.8%	8.12%	80.33%
ABTS	85.5%	21.99%	80.95%
NO	37.26%	36.64%	39.75%
Phosphomolibdate	88.91%	32.37%	35.92%

As a result, it was determined that, removal of parthenolite from Tanacetum parthenium did not change antioxidant capacity and the unprocessed extract was found to be most effective. SPF results of all tested materials have not been found significant.

This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project No: SBAG-214S147)

[1] Kaur CD, Saraf S. Pharmacognosy Res 2010; 2: 22 – 25.

[2] Mansur JS, Breder MN, Mansur MC, Azulay RD. An Bras Dermatol 1986; 61: 121 – 124.