The antioxidant, anti-microbial activity and potential application of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf extract (OPLE) as a skin lightening and sunscreen agent in topical application were evaluated. Currently, there are no evidence of skin lightening effect and protection against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of OPLE. OPLE contains 9.84±0.06 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry extract and shows antioxidant activity through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay with IC of 247±0.58 μg ml-1. OPLE was effective only against 50 gram-positive bacteria and the minimum inhibitory concentration was 12.5 mg ml-1. OPLE also inhibited mushroom tyrosinase enzyme with IC 254.88 μg ml-1. Determination of UV spectrophotometric and in 50 vitro sun protection factor (SPF) indicated that OPLE provides a protection against ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation. OPLE were mixed with glycerine at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations and showed slightly increase in SPF values from 0.96, 1.48 and 1.87, respectively. The UVA/UVB ratios were significantly increase from 0.076 for glycerine to 0.645, 0.906 and 0.910 for OPLE at 1%, 5% and 10% in glycerine, respectively. OPLE showed potentially good UV absorbance at UVB and UVA range wavelength and can be used as natural sunscreen and skin lightening agent for topical application.

Keywords: anti-microbial, anti-tyrosinase, antioxidant, oil palm leaf extract, ultraviolet radiation