Abstract
BackgroundExposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes various forms of acute and chronic skin damage, including immunosuppression, inflammation, premature aging and photodamage. Furthermore, it induces the generation of reactive oxygen species, produces proinflammatory cytokines and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and increases tyrosinase activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential photoprotective effects of Rheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract on human UV-stimulated melanocytes.MethodsThe effects of Rheum rhaponticum rhizome extract on tyrosine kinase activity, and on interleukin-1α (IL-1α), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and α-MSH production in human epidermal melanocytes were evaluated under UV-stimulated and non-stimulated conditions. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by lipid peroxidation and 1,1-dyphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assays, while anti-tyrosinase activity was evaluated by the mushroom tyrosinase method.ResultsRheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract showed in vitro antioxidant properties against lipid peroxidation, free radical scavenging and anti-tyrosinase activities, and inhibited the production of IL-1α, TNF-α, α-MSH, and tyrosine kinase activity in melanocytes subjected to UV radiation.ConclusionsThese results support the inclusion of Rheum rhaponticum L. rhizome extract into cosmetic, sunscreen and skin care products for the prevention or reduction of photodamage.
Highlights
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes various forms of acute and chronic skin damage, including immunosuppression, inflammation, premature aging and photodamage
Reduced α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) release was elicited by the two highest doses (2.4 and 4.8 mg/ml) of Rheum rhaponticum rhizome extract (Figure 1)
The treatment of melanocytes with UV radiation resulted in a 3.5-fold increase in α-MSH levels compared with non-irradiated melanocytes
Summary
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes various forms of acute and chronic skin damage, including immunosuppression, inflammation, premature aging and photodamage It induces the generation of reactive oxygen species, produces proinflammatory cytokines and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and increases tyrosinase activity. Skin pigmentation is exposure of skin results in significant oxidative stress via the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and is involved in the development of cutaneous inflammation [2,5]. These reactive species exert deleterious effects by oxidizing biologically essential molecules and induced oxidative damage of cellular membranes, tissues, and enzymes, which may lead to several diseases [4,8]. Isolated plant compounds have a high potential in skin protection, whole herbs extracts like black tea, aloe and sesame oil showed better potential due to their chemical complex composition [15]
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