| Summary: | Objective: New raw materials are still being sought that could nurture the skin and protect it against various harmful factors, including free radicals responsible for ageing processes, cell mutagenesis and formation of cancerous lesions. Although the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is not widely known as a medicinal plant, the available study findings suggest its multidirectional, health relevant properties, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimutagenic, and antimicrobial activities, as well as anticancer potential. However, the data on its antitirosinase and protective effects on skin cells are rather limited. Methods: Our study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant, and antityrosinase activities, as well as cytotoxic effects of the extracts obtained from three sweet potato cultivars ('Beauregard', 'Purple' and 'Carmen Rubin') on two human cell lines - keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (BJ). Results: The results evidenced that the cultivar characterized by the strongest antioxidant properties as well as the positive effect on the vitality of skin cells is the ‘Beauregard’ cultivar. Our findings showed that all three types of sweet potato extracts were tyrosinase inhibitors, yet their inhibitory capacities differed significantly. Conclusions: Sweet potatoes can be considered a reservoir of biologically active substances with beneficial health properties.
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