Introduction

Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth.is an ornamental plant with a strong, pleasant scent, belonging to the family Lamiaceae. In traditional medicine, it has been used to prevent and cure various skin diseases. In this study, the chemical components and antioxidant activity of P. atriplicifolia extract were analyzed and a rheological and textural characterization of the extract-based hydrogel was performed.

Methods

Spectrophotometric and HPLC methods were used to determine the phytochemical components and the antioxidant activity of P. atriplicifolia herb extract.

The rheological properties of the extract-based hydrogel were determined using a rotational rheometry method in a plate-to-plate arrangement at 25 °C. The hydrogel was also analyzed using a TX-700 texture analyzer, in the Compression/Relaxation/Tension (CRT) and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) modes.

Results

The total contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and condensed tannins in the extract were 64.46 mg/mL, 17.39 mg/mL, 4.92 mg/mL, and 4.12 mg/mL, respectively. Among phenolic compounds, hesperidin (0.16 mg/mL), caffeic (0.04 mg/mL), and rosmarinic (1.32 mg/mL) acid are identified. Additionally, it was found that the course of the flow curves was non-linear. In the range of shear rates tested, the apparent viscosity decreased, indicating that the formulations are non-Newtonian fluids, diluted by shear force. The results of the CRT and TPA tests showed that the hydrogel had high adhesiveness, supporting effective skin retention and bioadhesiveness. It also exhibited high elasticity (1.32), indicating good flexibility in regaining its shape, and cohesiveness above 1, confirming strong structural integrity and good skin adherence.

Conclusions

A hydrogel based on P. atriplicifolia extract containing compounds with antioxidant activity has beneficial rheological and textural properties, ensuring optimal application of the preparation on the skin.