Pothomorphe umbellata Extract Prevents α-Tocopherol Depletion After UV-irradiation

• Published in: Photochemistry and photobiology Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 436 - 439
• Main Authors: Ropke, Cristina D., Meirelles, Renata R., da Silva, Vanessa V., Sawada, Tânia C. H., Barros, Silvia B. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2003
• Subjects: alpha-Tocopherol - metabolism; Animals; Antioxidants - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Hairless; PHOTOCHEMISTRY, PHOTOPHYSICS AND PHOTOTECHNOLOGY; Piperaceae - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Skin - enzymology; Skin - metabolism; Skin - radiation effects; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 0031-8655; 1751-1097
• DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2003)078<0436:PUEPTD>2.0.CO;2

In this work we evaluated the influence of topical application of P. umbellata root extract gel, containing 0.1% of 4-nerolidylcathecol, on the antioxidant network in UV-induced oxidative damage in hairless mouse skin. The UV-irradiation had no influence on ascorbic acid levels or on the antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, but topical P. umbellata treatment protected α-tocopherol from being depleted after UV-irradiation. α-Tocopherol concentration decreased significantly (≈40%, P < 0.01) in the irradiated control groups, whereas in the P. umbellata–treated group, α-tocopherol was totally preserved (≈100%, P > 0.05). These data demonstrate that P. umbellata may be successfully used as a topical photoprotective agent.