Abstract
The ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight is high on the earth surface, especially at low latitudes, raising the risk of skin diseases, including cancer. The use of natural compounds is a strategy to protect people against UV damage. Seaweeds are becoming increasingly influential in the food industry, and are also used in the pharmacy and cosmetic industries, due to several bioactive demonstrated properties. This work analyzed the genotoxic and photoprotective effects of the aqueous extracts of two seaweed species: Bryothamnion triquetrum and Halimeda incrassata. A cell-free plasmid DNA assay was employed, allowing detection of DNA breaks. The plasmids were exposed to increasing concentrations of aqueous extracts. DNA break was produced at concentrations of 2.0 and 4.0 mg/mL in both seaweed extracts and, consequently, a genotoxic effect is postulated. This effect arises with higher exposure times. Additionally, different combinations of plasmid DNA, restriction enzymes (Eco RI, Bam HI, and Pvu II) and extracts were assayed. The extracts did not produce an interference effect in the reconnaissance of the specific restriction target sequences of each enzyme. Photoprotective activity of the extracts was evaluated in UVC-irradiated plasmids. None of the extracts displayed DNA protective effects in this assay.
Highlights
The ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface deserves social concern, because it generates DNA damages that are related to the development of skin diseases, including cancer
Dry and powdered collected specimens of H. incrassata and freshly collected specimens of B. triquetrum were homogenized in distilled water 1:5 (w/v) and
The current paper focused on the genotoxic analysis of two specific endpoints: the capacity of producing breaks in plasmid DNA, and some eventual modifications of DNA bases, which could inhibit restriction enzyme activities
Summary
The ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface deserves social concern, because it generates DNA damages that are related to the development of skin diseases, including cancer. It is a perspective that sun protection creams include compounds capable of absorbing radiation and improving the DNA-damage repair [1]. The evaluation of photoprotective agents, including the assessment of their efficacy and safety and the mechanisms involved, are highly relevant. Seaweeds have attracted much attention as a source of natural preparations, with potential applications in the cosmetic industry and biomedicine [2,3]. Seaweeds are excellent photoprotective candidates, because they are exposed to UV radiation and have developed several defense mechanisms [4]. The employment of these natural sources involves a genotoxic evaluation
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