BACKGROUND: UV radiation from sunlight is a very potent environmental risk factor in the pathogenesis of skin cancer. Exposure to UV light, especially the UVA part, provokes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce oxidative stress in exposed cells. Topical application of antioxidants is a successful strategy for protecting the skin against UV-caused oxidative damage. OBJECTIVE: In this study, silybin (SB) and 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DS) (1-50 micromol/l), flavonolignan components of Silybum marianum, were tested for their ability to moderate UVA-induced damage. METHODS: Human keratinocytes HaCaT were used as an appropriate experimental in vitro model, to monitor the effects of SB and DS on cell viability, proliferation, intracellular ATP and GSH level, ROS generation, membrane lipid peroxidation, caspase-3 activation and DNA damage. RESULTS: Application of the flavonolignans (1-50 micromol/l) led to an increase in cell viability of irradiated (20 J/cm(2)) HaCaT keratinocytes. SB and DS also suppressed intracellular ATP and GSH depletion, ROS production and peroxidation of membrane lipids. UVA-induced caspases-3 activity/activation was suppressed by treatment with SB and DS. Lower concentrations of both compounds (10 micromol/l) significantly reduced cellular DNA single strand break formation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results suggest that these flavonolignans suppress UVA-caused oxidative stress and may be useful in the treatment of UVA-induced skin damage.

Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry Palacký University Hnevotínská 3 775 15 Olomouc Czech Republic

J Dermatol Sci. 2011 Dec;64(3):243-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2011.09.010. PubMed

References provided by Crossref.org

Differences in the Effects of Broad-Band UVA and Narrow-Band UVB on Epidermal Keratinocytes

Dehydroflavonolignans from Silymarin Potentiate Transition Metal Toxicity In Vitro but Are Protective for Isolated Erythrocytes Ex Vivo

Skin Protective Activity of Silymarin and its Flavonolignans