Preclinical evaluation of red grapes seeds extract from Vitis vinifera, Burgund Mare, Recas, Romania as skin photochemoprotective agent

Several studies have shown that polyphenols from grape seeds possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects and inhibit the oxidative stress – mediated activation of MAPK and NF-kB involved in carcinogenesis pathways [1]. For the development of newer and more effective photochemopreventive agents we assessed the effect of grapes seed extract from Vitis vinifera L, Burgund Mare variety, Romania, with proved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and on SKH-1 hairless mice [2]. Two groups of volunteers (n=10) were exposed to one minimal erythema doses (1 MED) of UVB. For each subject we used 3 skin study areas, of the same size, from the posterior thorax: 1. ctrl – irradiated with 1 MED; 2. HA+I – pre-treated with vehicle (40µl/cm2 hydroalcoholic solution – HA) and irradiated after 30min with 1 MED; 3. BM+I – pretreated with BM extract 4mg polyphenols/40µl/cm2 in HA, irradiated at 30min with MED. Skin biopsies were sampled 1 hour respectively at 24 hours after UVB irradiation. Samples were examined histopatologically and by immunohistochemistry for DNA damage and apoptosis (using Anti Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers – CPD antibody and Caspase 3 antibody). The BM extract reduced sunburn cells number, acute inflammation and formation of UVB radiation-induced DNA damage as demonstrated by reduced amounts of CPD, ultimately leading to reduced apoptosis.

Our results suggest that BM extract might be a potential chemopreventive candidate in reducing UV-induced skin cancer risk.

Acknowledgement: Project PN II-42104/2008

References: 1. Chakraborti S, Chakraborti T (1998) Cellular Signalling 10: 675–683.

2. Muresan A (2010) Acta Physiol Hung 97(2): 240–246.