Positive Health Online

Abstract

FLIEGER and COLLEAGUES (1)Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.; (2)Faculty of Physical Education and Health, University of Physicl Education, Akademicka 2, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland.; (3)Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillary Surgery, National Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137 Street, 02-507 Warszawa, Poland.; (4)Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, K.; Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland reviewed data on skin photodamage and photoprotective efficacy of selected plant carotenoid representatives from in vivo studies on animal models and humans and in vitro experiments performed on fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines.

Background

Sunlight, despite its benefits, can pose a threat to the skin, which is a natural protective barrier. Phototoxicity caused by overexposure, especially to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), results in burns, accelerates photo-ageing, and causes skin cancer formation.

Methodology

Natural substances of plant origin, i.e., polyphenols, flavonoids, and photosynthetic pigments, can protect the skin against the effects of radiation, acting not only as photo protectors like natural filters but as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory remedies, alleviating the effects of photodamage to the skin. Plant-based formulations are gaining popularity as an attractive alternative to synthetic filters.

Results

Over the past 20 years, a large number of studies have been published to assess the photoprotective effects of natural plant products, primarily through their antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anti-immunosuppressive activities. This review selects the most important data on skin photodamage and photoprotective efficacy of selected plant carotenoid representatives from in vivo studies on animal models and humans, as well as in vitro experiments performed on fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. Recent research on carotenoids associated with lipid nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, liposomes, and micelles is reviewed.

Conclusion

The focus was on collecting those nanomaterials that serve to improve the bioavailability and stability of carotenoids as natural antioxidants with photoprotective activity. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

Flieger J(1), Raszewska-Famielec M(2), Radzikowska-Büchner E(3), Flieger W(4). Skin Protection by Carotenoid Pigments. Int J Mol Sci.  ;25(3):1431. doi: 10.3390/ijms25031431. Jan 24 2024.