Hyptis mociniana: phytochemical fingerprint and photochemoprotective effect against UV-B radiation-induced erythema and skin carcinogenesis

Photoprotective effect of topical treatment with Lopezia racemosa extract against deleterious UVB irradiation effects in the skin of hairless mice

Lopezia racemosa is known as a "mosquito flower or perlilla." It is commonly found in corn crops. In traditional Mexican medicine, this plant is used to treat stomach cancer and urinary tract infections. Likewise, compounds and extracts isolated from plants have shown cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the photochemoprotective effect of topical treatment with the methanolic extract of L. racemosa (MELR) as a photochemoprotective agent against the harmful effects of UV irradiation (UVR) on a bacterial model and hairless mice. The MELR components were separated and analyzed via HPLC-UV-ESI-MS. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ability of MERL to scavenge DPPH and ABTS free radicals and by its FRAP capacity. The toxicity of MELR was evaluated in keratinocyte cultures. The photoprotective capacity of MELR was assessed through challenge experiments using models with bacteria and hairless CD1 et/et mice; cytokines related to the damage caused by UVR were also measured. In the methanolic extract of L. racemosa, five metabolites were detected and identified: two isomers of quercetin 6-C glycoside, orientin, quercetin 3-(6″-acetylglycoside) and quercetin 3-(6″-galloylglycoside) 7-(2,3-dihydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate). MELR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging properties, in addition to Fe ion reducing activity. MELR showed a photoprotective effect against UVB radiation-induced death in Escherichia coli bacteria. At the histological level, topical treatment of CD-1 et/et mice with MERL reduced the damage caused by UVR. Quantification of interleukins in the blood of mice revealed that the expression of IL-12 was greater in the control group treated with ultraviolet radiation than in the group protected with MELR. The methanolic extract of L. racemosa has photochemoprotective properties.

Investigating the efficacy of topical application of Ipomoea carnea herbal cream in preventing skin damage induced by UVB radiation in a rat model

Ultraviolet-B irradiation is a common environmental stressor that has detrimental effects on human skin. Natural sunscreens are well-known for their ability to benefit inflamed sunburn and dry skin. This study examined the effect of formulated Ipomoea carnea herbal cream on UVB-induced skin damage. We screened the bioactive compounds of I. carnea crude extract, showing significant antioxidant activity. Additionally, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, revealing that I. carnea extract has less toxicity to vero cells (IC50 98.45 μg/mL) than to A375 cells (IC50 48.95 μg/mL). Based on this, we formulated the I. carnea herbal cream (FIHC) at 50, 100 and 200 mg concentrations and evaluated its organoleptic characteristics. Then, the rats were exposed to UVB radiation (32,800 J/m2) four times/week (on alternate days) before the cream was applied topically to the dorsal skin surface. Under UVB stress without treatment, rats showed deep dermal damage. In contrast, rats treated with the FIHC exhibited significantly reduced sunburn. Moreover, the histopathological and biochemical assays were confirmed by the topical application of FIHC, which had potentially reduced the skin elasticity and maintained the imbalanced enzyme and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity. Our findings amply demonstrate that the FIHC significantly accelerated the recovery of UVB-induced lesions through antioxidant and down-regulation of skin photodamage.

Protective effects of Brownea grandiceps (Jacq.) against ϒ-radiation-induced enteritis in rats in relation to its secondary metabolome fingerprint

Radiation enteritis is the most common complication of radiotherapy in patients with pelvic malignancies. Thus, the radioprotective activity of the total hydro-alcoholic extract (BGE) and the ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EAF) of Brownea grandiceps leaves was evaluated against ϒ-radiation-induced enteritis in rats. (BGE) and (EAF) were characterized using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also quantified. In vivo administration of (BGE) (400 mg/kg) and (EAF) (200 & 400 mg/kg) prevented intestinal injury and maintained the mucosal integrity of irradiated rats through increasing villi length and promoting crypt regeneration. Also, (EAF) showed more potent antioxidant activity than (BGE) through reduction of MDA level and enhancement of GSH content and catalase enzyme activity. (BGE) and (EAF) down-regulated intestinal NF-κB expression leading to diminished expression of downstream inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Moreover, (EAF) markedly reduced the expression of profibrotic marker TGF-β1. Seventy-nine compounds were tentatively identified, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, polar lipids and phenolic acids. (EAF) showed significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as compared to (BGE). Results revealed remarkable radioprotective activity of (BGE) and (EAF), with significantly higher activity for (EAF). The chemical constituents of (BGE) and (EAF) strongly supported their radioprotective activity. To the best of our knowledge, the present study describes for the first time the radioprotective activity of B. grandiceps leaves in relation to its secondary metabolome fingerprint; emphasizing the great promise of B. grandiceps leaves, especially (EAF), to be used as natural radio-protective agent.

Immobilization of lanthanide doped aluminate phosphor onto recycled polyester toward the development of long-persistent photoluminescence smart window

Smart window can be defined as switchable material whose light transmission is altered upon exposure to light, voltage, or heat. However, smart windows usually produced from expensive and breakable glass materials. Herein, transparent smart window with long-persistent phosphorescence, high optical transmittance, ultraviolet protection, rigid, high photostability and durability, and superhydrophobicity was developed from recycled polyester (PET). Recycled polyester waste (RBW) was simply immobilized with different ratios of lanthanide-doped aluminate nanoparticles (LdAN) to provide a long-persistent phosphorescent polyester smart window (LdAN@PET) with an ability to persist emitting light for extended time periods. The solid-state high temperature technique was used to prepare LdA micro-scale powder. Then, the top-down technique was applied to afford the corresponding LdA nanoparticles. Recycled shredded recycled polyester bottles were charged into a hot bath to provide a clear plastic shred bulk, which was then well-mixed with LdAN and drop-casted to provide long-persistent luminescent smart window. In order to improve the phosphor dispersion in the PET bulk, LdAN was synthesized in the nanoparticle form which was characterized utilizing transmission electron microscope (TEM). For better preparation of translucent smart window of long-persistent phosphorescent polyester, LdAN must be homogeneously dispersed in the PET matrix without agglomeration. The morphology and chemical composition were studied by infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersion X-ray analyzer (EDS). In addition, spectral profiles of excitation and emission, and decay and lifetime were used to better understand the photoluminescence properties. The hardness properties were also investigated. The developed phosphorescent transparent polyester smart window demonstrated a color switch to intense green underneath UV irradiation and greenish-yellow under darkness as verified by CIE Lab color parameters. The afterglow polyester smart window showed an absorption wavelength at 365 nm and two phosphorescence intensities at 442 and 512 nm. An enhanced UV protection, photostability and hydrophobic activity were detected. The luminescent polyester substrates with lower LdAN ratios demonstrated rapid and reversible fluorescent photochromic activity beneath the UV light. The luminescent polyester substrates with higher LdAN contents displayed long-persistent phosphorescence afterglow. The current strategy can be simply applied for the production of smart windows, low thickness anticounterfeiting films and warning signs.