The extract of the flowers of Prunus persica, a new cosmetic ingredient, protects against solar ultraviolet-induced skin damage in vivo.

The flowers of Prunus persica Batsch have been used for skin disorders in East Asia from ancient times. In this investigation, the ethanol extract from this plant material was prepared and several major constituents were isolated. In addition, the protective effects of the extract were evaluated against solar ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin damage using in vivo animal models of UVB-induced erythema in guinea pigs and ear edema in ICR mice. From the extract, four kaempferol glycoside derivatives were successfully isolated and their contents were measured with HPLC. Among the derivatives isolated, the content of multiflorin B was highest (3.3%, w/w). The P. persica extract clearly inhibited UVB-induced erythema formation dose dependently when topically applied (IC(50) = 0.5 mg/cm(2)). It also inhibited UVB-induced ear edema (49% inhibition at 3.0 mg/ear). Moreover, multiflorin B inhibited UVB-induced erythema formation (80% inhibition at 0.3 mg/cm(2)), indicating that this compound is one of the active principles of the extract. All these results suggest that P. persica extract may be useful for protection against UVB-induced skin damage when topically applied.