Safety study of purple sweet potatoes leaves extract (Ipomoea batatas (l.) lamk) antin-3 variety as a sunscreen active ingredient on human skin

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation intensively has known as a major cause of photoaging and photodamage on skin. Anthocyanin is one of flavonoid group, which has a chromophore and conjugated double bond, absorbing electromagnetic radiation in UV wavelength. Ethanolic leaves extract of (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamk) Antin-3 variety contains considerably high anthocyanins so that it can be a potential sunscreen active ingredient. However, the safety effect of ethanolic extract of (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamk) Antin-3 variety on human skin is still unclear. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety (irritation and allergic effect) of ethanolic leaves extract of (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamk) Antin-3 variety on human skin trough a patch test. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic young and old leaves extract of (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lamk) Antin-3 variety. Each of them is on a 500, 1000 and 5000 ppm on vaselinum album base. The patch test was applied on the back skin on seven of adult females who are included in inclusion criteria (as a subject study) for 24 hours and they were observed for four days. Results: There are two out of seven subjects indicated irritation which understandably were caused by the old leaves 1000 and 5000 ppm. Conclusions: The old leaves vary in the phytochemical compound compared to the young leaves which have more potential risk to irritate and cause allergies to the human skin. Anthocyanin is a major content in young leaves.