No abstract

The possible formation of singlet oxygen via photoexcited psoralens has been associated with the occurrence of, amongst others, erythema. Therefore it has been suggested to combine PUVA with the topical or systemic administration of antioxidants. However, the effect of these antioxidants on the photobinding of psoralens to DNA, which is held responsible for the anti-proliferative effect, should be taken into account. In the present study the effect of two phenolic antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol (AT) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), on the in vivo photobinding of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) to not only epidermal DNA, but also proteins and lipids was determined. After topical application of an ethanolic antioxidant solution onto the shaven skin of Wistar rats, labeled 8-MOP was applied using the same solvent. After this the rats were exposed to UV-A. By separating epidermal lipids, DNA/RNA and proteins by a selective extraction method, irreversible binding of 8-MOP to each of these biomacromolecules was determined. Both AT and BHT caused a decrease in the photobinding of 8-MOP to epidermal DNA and proteins. To investigate the underlying mechanism of this protection, the effect of AT was compared with that of AT-acetate. It also proved helpful to study the effects of the antioxidants on the photobinding of another photosensitizer, namely chlorpromazine. From these experiments it was concluded that AT and BHT affect 8-MOP photobinding by quenching reactive 8-MOP intermediates, involving the phenolic hydroxyl group of the antioxidants. BHT offered protection against lipid binding of 8-MOP but AT, especially at high concentrations, enhanced the UV-A-induced binding of 8-MOP to lipids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In recent years, the role of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) in human disease has been the subject of considerable study. This has led to research on the potential benefit of natural products as dietary antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress caused by increased RNOS associated with tissue damage. Five physiologically relevant reactive species include peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion, superoxide radical anion, and singlet oxygen. Excessive amounts of these species can lead to the degradation of important biomolecules in vivo, and dietary antioxidants have been shown to inhibit damage both in vitro and in vivo. In this investigation, we have discovered that an extract of the fruit from Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. (Tangut white thorn) demonstrates significant antioxidant capacity against all five reactive species. Rapid bioassay-directed fractionation was used to identify antioxidant phytochemicals by collecting fractions from HPLC effluent into 96 well microplates and testing for antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. Two different classes of phytochemicals, anthocyanins and flavonoids, were associated with antioxidant activity. Active components were further characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and high-resolution MS.