Protective Effects of Rose Myrtle Extract and Piceatannol against UV-induced Damage

Abstract

Damage due to UV rays induces photoaging such as pigmentation, wrinkles and sagging in the skin. In this study, we focused on finding efficient plant exts. to prevent UV-induced damage, and found remarkable activities in Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) ext. and its key component, piceatannol. In evaluations using UVB-damaged human keratinocytes, Rose Myrtle ext. and piceatannol, which have inhibitory activity on UVB-induced cell death in keratinocytes, suppressed DNA damage via a decrease of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer levels and regulation of nucleotide excision repair gene expression. In addn., both Rose Myrtle ext. and piceatannol showed anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities such as an increase of glutathione synthesis, inhibition of prostaglandin E2 prodn. and inhibition of interleukin-1β secretion. These results suggested that Rose Myrtle ext. might be a useful anti-aging ingredient for UV protection and piceatannol may be one of the active components of Rose Myrtle ext. [on SciFinder(R)]