Cytoprotective activity of carrot and tomato callus extracts and the expression of cytokines in UV-B irradiated fibroblast cells

Abstract

Studies have suggested that both carrot (Daucus carota L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) callus extracts contain antioxidant compounds that might have the potential to protect cells from free radicals such as H2O2 that contribute to cell damage. The other sources of free radical exposure in human cells, such as UV-B, should also be examined. UV-B exposure can trigger increased expression of inflammatory cytokines such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), which causes photoaging. This study was conducted to investigate the cytoprotective activity of carrot and tomato callus aqueous extracts by observing cell viability using the MTT assay. Immunocytochemistry methods were used to examine the effects of carrot and tomato callus aqueous extracts on the expression of COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-10 in human dermal fibroblast adult (HDFa) cells exposed to UV-B light. Carrot and tomato callus aqueous extracts were obtained by the maceration method using aqua bidistilled solvent. Results showed that both carrot and tomato callus aqueous extracts at 0.5 mg/mL exhibited the highest cytoprotective effect in HDFa cells compared to that at other concentrations. Both carrot and tomato callus aqueous extracts could also decrease the expression of COX-2 and TNF-α, whereas carrot callus aqueous extract increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in HDFa cells.