Hibiscus genus is the flowering plant belongs to the family Malvaceae. Hibiscus, particularly white and red hibiscus, is said to have therapeutic benefits in Indian traditional medical system, Ayurveda. The roots are used to create a number of mixtures that are thought to treat conditions including cough, hair loss and growing of the hair. The leaves and blossoms are combined with a little water to create a thin paste that is then used as both wash and conditioner. Antimicrobial, antiageing, antiinflammatory, antihelmenthic, woundhealing, activities have been reported in some species of the genus Hibiscus. Chinese herbology offers several applications for the hibiscus plant. Their research indicates some potential in aesthetic skin care; for instance, it has been demonstrated that an extract from the petals of the hibiscus plant acts as an anti-solar agent by absorbing UV radiation, see [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Now a days there is a long-term increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature and oceans due to an increase in the greenhouse effect, and this phenomenon is known as Global warming. This global warming leads to loss of ozone layer. Due to the depletion of ozone layer the Ultraviolet rays penetrate outer skin layers and hit the deeper layers of the skin. UV radiation is a subset of the electromagnetic spectrum with a shorter wavelength and greater energy than visible light. UV-A (320\(-\)400nm), UV-B(290\(-\)320nm),and UV C (200\(-\)290 nm) are the three forms of UV that fall on the earth’s surface. UV photons account for 5% of all rays that reach the planet. At a wave length of 320\(-\)400 nm, UVA radiation makes up around 90% of all UV radiation. UVA radiation can cause cell damage by reaching upto 100mm beneath the skin’s surface [6, 7]. It promotes drooping and wrinkles in human skin by promoting elasticity loss. Therefore, it results in early skinaging. Enzyme inactivation, protein denaturation, cell organelles, and cell membrane damage are all caused by UVA radiation. UVB is one of the ultraviolet rays reaching the surface of the earth, although most of it is filtered by the atmosphere, with a wavelength of 290\(-\)320 nm. Sunburns and the production of the melanin pigment in the skin are both primarily effected by UV-B radiation. UV-C is a subset of UV photons that has the lowest wavelength (200\(-\)290 nm) and greatest energy [8, [9]]. Herbs and medicinal plants have long been used in cosmetics and medicines due to their high levels of phyto constituents [10]. Because UV radiation can result in a number of dermatitis issues, including rashes, reddening, tanning, patches, and even skin cancer in the case of prolonged exposure, people are becoming more aware of its dangers and side effects and are becoming more interested in sun protection products. Due to these complications the majority of cosmetics and skin care products contains unscreen or other sun protection ingredients [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. Not only sun screen products but also natural sunblockers are used to protect the skin from UVrays. The principal skin-damaging element is oxygenated molecules, often known as free radicals. Anti-oxidants are crucial for triggering the skin’s natural repair and building processes.

A. Natural Sun Blockers

Natural sunblockers, such as squalane from oliveoil, can shield the skin’s delicate lipids from the sun’s rays. Allantoin, a from the comfrey plant, has anti-inflammatory, relaxing, and healing qualities. Because of its capacity to aid in the healing of mining wounds and promote healthy skin, this extract may be found in the anti-acne, suncare, and clarifying lotions. According to several clinical investigations, all promotes skin healing. Natural UV resilience in aloevera gel makes it both an efficient acne treatment and an all natural sunscreen.

Citrus fruits, blue berries, carrots, green tea, avocado, turmeric, almonds, red grapes, pomegranates, leafy greens, tomatoes, water melon, these are the some examples of having sun protection activity. Not only edible items, some physical sun blockers are such as zinc oxide, titaniumdioxide are also used. The sun protection factor (SPF),which is defined as the UV energy needed to produce a minimum erythema dose (MED) on protected skin, divided by the UV energy is required to produce a MED on the unprotected skin.

SPF = MED for protected skin MED for unprotected skin

• Sun protection factor value is directly proportional to Sun protecting activity.

A. Requirements

Soxhlet apparatus, volumetric flasks, spectrophotometer, cuvettes, measuring cylinder, beaker, Hibiscushirtus plant extract, ethylacetate.

B. Method

Whole plant of Hibiscus hirtus was collected and shade dried for 21 days at room temperature (until constant weight). Dried plant was grind into powder by using mechanical grinder. The powder was extracted with ethylacetate by hot per collation method by using soxhletextractor. The extract was distilled at 80\(^\circ\)C.

The crude extract was stored in anhydrous calcium chloride containing desiccator for further use.

The Hibiscus hirtus plant extract which is obtained by using hot percolation method, weighed about 10mg in a volumetric flask, and to this add 50 ml of ethyl acetate and shake the volumetric flask for dissolvance of the drug. Sonicator is used for better agitation of the particles in the solution. And this solution is indicated as primary solution as it becomes 200 mcg/ml. 1ml was taken in a 10 ml volumetric flask, to this add 9ml of ethylacetate, and this solution is indicated assecondarysolutionasitbecomes20microgram/ml concentration.

C. Determination of SPF Value

By using UV spectrophotometer the SPF value can determine. For this purpose take a cuvette and fill this with the ethylacetate as a control. Take the cuvette and fill this with the secondary solution, and then observe the absorbance by raising the wavelength by 5nm from 290 nm to 320 nm.

The absorbance values were recorded, and when the results are shown in the accompanying Table 1. By increasing the wave length by 5nm and taking the relevant values into consideration, the absorbance is calculated. Based on the results we observed that max is at 290 nm and the min is at 320 nm. By this result, the currently chosen plant, HibiscushirtusLinn, has a sun protection factor, which indicates that the plant has the ability to protect the skin from the UV radiation. Based on the absorbance and SPF values in the given Table 2 the graphs are drawn Figure 1 and 2.

The phyto chemical screening of the ethyl acetate extract of HibiscushirtusLinn is carried out for qualitative determination of phytochemical constituents. By using the following chemical tests (Ferric chloride test, Shinoda’s test, Lead acetate test, and Ammonia test). By using UV visible Spectrophoto meter analysis, reveals that the Flavonoids are responsible for the absorption of UV light and acts as sun protective agents.

The ethyl acetate extract of whole plant of Hibiscus hirtus Linn, has a sun protection factor, which indicates that the plant has the ability to absorb and protect the skin. Thus it can be used in various formulations.

None.

No conflicts of interest have been declared by the authors.

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