Dr Cornelia Huber – Pentapharm, Basel, Switzerland
Besides other environmental stress factors, UV radiation – even at low doses – is the main origin for DNA damage in human skin. These stress factors increase free radical levels in the cells, leading to the formation of 8-oxo-2’- deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG [Fig. 1]) and single-strand breaks. Cyclopyrimidine dimers directly result from UV radiation energy.1
Pentapharm has developed Pepha-Protect, a highly purified and specific fraction of watermelon extract that prevents DNA damage to skin. The impressive DNA protection capabilities of the product could be shown in several in vitro tests including a direct DNA protection assay, the Comet assay, 8-oxo-guanosine and p53 detection. The correlation between the p53 level and the severity of DNA damage, detected by the amount of 8-oxo-dG, could be shown in our test system.
Material and methods
A commercially available, in vitro 3D skin model was cultured under appropriate conditions. After treatment with Pepha-Protect the skin was stressed with benzoapyrene (BaP). In order to demonstrate DNA damage 8-oxo-dG and p53 were detected by using specific antibodies (Fig. 3).
Results
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
