Planta Med 2008; 74(13): 1548-1559
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081296
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Phytochemicals as Protectors Against Ultraviolet Radiation: Versatility of Effects and Mechanisms

Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova1
  • 1Biomedical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK and Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Publikationsverlauf

Received: March 26, 2008 Revised: May 16, 2008

Accepted: May 22, 2008

Publikationsdatum:
11. August 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the most abundant carcinogens in our environment, and the development of non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common type of human malignancy worldwide, represents one of the major consequences of excessive exposure. Because of growing concerns that the level of UV radiation is increasing as a result of depletion of the stratospheric ozone and climate change, the development of strategies for protection of the skin is an urgent need. Many phytochemicals that belong to various families of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids (caffeine, sanguinarine), flavonoids [(−)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate, genistein, silibinin], carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene), and isothiocyanates (sulforaphane), offer exciting platforms for the development of such protective strategies. These phytochemicals have been consumed by humans for many centuries as part of plant-rich diets and are presumed to be of low toxicity, an essential requirement for a chemoprotective agent. Mechanistically, they affect multiple signalling pathways and protect against UV radiation-inflicted damage by their ability to act as direct and indirect antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents. Such ”pluripotent character” is a critical prerequisite for an agent that is designed to counteract the multiple damaging effects of UV radiation. Especially attractive are inducers of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway, which controls the gene expression of proteins whose activation leads to enhanced protection against oxidants and electrophiles. Such protection is comprehensive, long-lasting, and unlikely to cause pro-oxidant effects or interfere with the synthesis of vitamin D.

Abbreviations

AP-1:activator protein 1

ARE:antioxidant response element

COX-2:cyclooxygenase 2

EGG:epigallocatechin 3-gallate

EGF:epidermal growth factor

GSH:glutathione

iNOS:inducible nitric oxide synthase

Keap1:Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1

IL:inerleukin

MAPK:mitogen-activated protein kinase

MMP:matrix metalloprotease

NF-κB:nuclear factor-κB

NQO1:NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1

Nrf2:nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2

ODC:ornithine decarobxylase

PCNA:proliferating cell nuclear antigen

ROS:reactive oxygen species

TPA:12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate

UV:ultraviolet

References

Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova

University of Dundee

Biomedical Research Centre

Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Level 5

Dundee DD1 9SY

Scotland

United Kingdom

Telefon: +44-1382-740-045

Fax: +44-1382-669-993

eMail: a.dinkovakostova@dundee.ac.uk