Formulation and evaluation of cost effective herbal sunscreen gel from aqueous extracts of different fruits of Mizoram, India

Background: Herbal cosmetics have been in tremendous demand in the market due to their unique properties and minimal side effects. The popularity of herbal cosmetics is mainly due to the effect produced by the herbal extract used and its inherent suitability for routine use in daily life. Herbal cosmetics also avoid adverse effects compared to synthetic products. 
Herbal extracts show remarkable photo protection owing to their ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Moreover, herbal cosmetics offer the means of less costly products compared to synthetic ones. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate cost-effective herbal sunscreen gel containing aqueous fruit extract of Emblica Officinalis (Indian gooseberry) belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, Daucus carota (Carrot), family- Apiaceae, Carica papaya (Papaya), family-Caricaceae, Punica granatum (pomegranate), family-Punicaceae and latex of leaves of Aloe barbadensis, family-Liliaceae.  
Methods: The fruits were grinded with a mixer grinder, extracted with distilled water, and then filtered. The Sun protection factor (SPF) of the extracts was determined using a UV visible spectrophotometer followed by different formulations (F1, F2, F3) of sunscreen gel.  
Results: The SPF value of the herbal extract of Indian gooseberry, Carrot, Aloe Vera, Papaya, and Pomegranate were found to be 0.779±0.616, 2.527±2.213, 0.349±0.318, 2.794±2.976, 2.468±2.313 respectively. The SPF values of formulated gel F1, F2, and F3 are 5.293 ± 0.680, 3.537 ± 0.494, and 3.914± 0.501 respectively. Among the formulations, F1 showed the highest SPF value and better physicochemical properties. After accelerated stability studies, formulated sunscreen did not loss its potency.  
Conclusions: We can conclude that formulated herbal sunscreen gel may protect skin from harmful UV radiation and can be used as an alternative source of cost-effective sunscreen formulations.