Purpose: To determine the antioxidant activity of
Crucus sativus
extract and its effect on human skin
using a non-invasive probe mexameter.
Methods: The antioxidant activity of
C. sativus extract was determined using DPPH method. Water in
oil (w/o) topical cream of
C. sativus extract (3 %) was formulated and compared with the base (cream
without extract). Both creams (formulation and base) were applied to the cheeks of 10 healthy human
volunteers for a period of 8 weeks. Melanin and erythema values of skin were measured with a
mexameter.
Results: The antioxidant activity of the extract was 81 %. Change in the levels of skin melanin and
erythema was -24.04 ± 3.23 and -13.57 ± 2.28, respectively, indicating that unlike the base, the
formulation containing
Crocus sativus extract produced significant (p ≤ 0.05) depigmentation and anti
erythemic effect on human skin.
Conclusion: Application of the formulation containing 3 %
C. sativus extract to human skin may be
useful in the management of melanoma. However, further studies are still required to ascertain this.
