Exposure to sun and especially to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exerts well known detrimental effects on skin which are implicated in malignancy. UVR induces production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), immediately during exposure and even hours after the exposure, these latter being called dark-CPDs, as consequence of the effects of different reactive species that are formed. Fernblock® (FB), an aqueous extract of Polypodium leucotomos, has proven to have photoprotective and antioxidant effects on skin. The aim of our work was to investigate the potential photoprotective effect of FB against dark-CPD formation. Murine melanocytes (B16-F10) were exposed to UVA radiation and the production of dark-CPDs and different reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) was measured. Significant dark-CPD formation could be seen at 3 h after UVA irradiation, which was inhibited by the pre-treatment of cells with FB. Formation of nitric oxide, superoxide and peroxynitrite was increased after irradiation, consistent with the increased CPD formation. FB successfully reduced the production of these reactive species. Hence, these results show how dark-CPDs are formed in UVA irradiated melanocytes, and that FB acts as a potential antioxidant and ROS scavenger, preventing the DNA damage induced by sun exposure.
Keywords: Polypodium leucotomos; cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers; dark cyclobutene pyrimidine dimers; melanocytes; photoprotection; skin cancer; ultraviolet radiation.