Background::
Lawsonia inermis Linn (Lythraceae), commonly known as "Henna" is a medicinal plant widely
used as a folk remedy and for its cosmetic properties.
Objective::
The objective of this present work was to evaluate biological activities and to quantify phenolics in extracts.
Methods::
The extracts were obtained from seeds of L. inermis by increasing the polarity of the solvent. The content of total
phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and tannins was determined using colorimetric methods. Also, to evaluate the antioxidant
activity, six different assays, DPPH, ABTS, superoxide radical scavenging, inhibition of β-carotene bleaching, ferric
reducing antioxidant power and phenanthroline assays were used. Enzyme inhibition activity was evaluated by
acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition assays. Furthermore, photoprotective activity was
determined by measuring sun protection factor.
Results::
The extraction efficiency of phenolics, as well as the biological activities of plant extracts, were affected by solvent
polarity. The highest content of phenolics was determined in methanol extract (786.54 ± 0.00 mg GAEg-1 DW), followed by
the aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts (526.48 ± 0.40 and 331.25 ± 0.00 GAEg-1 DW, respectively). The above extracts also
exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, while low polar extracts were characterized with the lowest content of phenolics,
as well as the lowest antioxidant capacity. The highest enzyme inhibition activities were found in ethyl acetate extract.
Moreover, the methanol extract showed the best photoprotective activity with sun protection factor of 43.05 ± 0.37.
Conclusion::
These findings suggest a possible use of Henna seeds as a potential source of bioactive molecules with
antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and skin protection properties.