Toxicity essays and photoprotective effects of partitions of Euphorbia tirucalli L.
Plants have long been recognized in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties, contributing significantly to the evolution of phytotherapy and modern pharmacopoeia. This study aimed to assess the photoprotective effects of Euphorbia tirucalli L. extracts and their toxicity on human erythrocytes and Artemia salina, with a view to proposing them as potential dermoprotective agents.
Using the Artemia salina model, both methanolic and ethanolic partitions exhibited moderate toxicity, with LD50 values of 144.77 µg mL-1 and 189.54 µg mL-1, respectively. Subsequent erythrocyte toxicity tests (AAPH-) indicated dose-dependent cytoprotective effects, reaching 99% inhibition of hemolysis at 1000 µg mL-1, likely attributable to their polyphenol content: 3.52 µg EAG mg-1 and 19.46 µg EAG mg-1 for methanolic and ethanolic partitions, respectively.
Furthermore, the photoprotection test demonstrated significant efficacy against UV-B radiation, with calculated Sun Protection Factor (SPF) values exceeding 9 and 18 for methanolic and ethanolic partitions, respectively.
In conclusion, the ethanolic partition of Euphorbia tirucalli L. extract displayed the highest cytoprotective activity, phenolic content, and photoprotection. Despite moderate toxicity on multicellular organisms, further lethality testing is recommended to explore their potential as biological photoprotectors for topical use.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Dermoprotective, Hemolysis, UV-B.
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