The skin is a tissue with a high metabolic activity that acts as a protective layer for the internal organs of the body. This tissue is exposed to a variety of damaging agents, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to oxidative damage to various macromolecules, disrupting vital cellular processes and increasing mutations. A situation referred to as oxidative stress occurs when a large amount of oxidants exceeds the capacity of the antioxidant defense system. Oxidative stress is considered a contributory factor to the aging process and the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, including cancer. Several current studies seek to identify new natural compounds with properties that mitigate the harmful effects of ROS, thereby acting as blockers or suppressors of the carcinogenesis process. This review briefly presents the relationship between ultraviolet radiation, ROS, and skin damage; and summarizes the in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence of the chemopreventive effect on skin cancer of phenolic compounds from blueberries ( Vaccinium spp ). Although several studies addressed the topic of bioactive compounds and their activities as possible anticancer agents, none have focused on the antioxidative action and antiproliferative effects on skin cancer of phenolic compounds derived from blueberries.

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Noncommunicable diseases, the leading cause of mortality around the world, are responsible for approximately 75% of premature adult deaths (ages 30–69). To tackle this issue, a healthy diet based on functional foods, including cocoa and its derivatives, has been increasingly promoted. The polyphenols present in cocoa have been of interest due to their antioxidant potential and their possible protective role in the context of noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. However, during cocoa postharvest and industrialization, the concentration of these bioactive compounds is reduced, possibly affecting their health-promoting properties. Therefore, this paper reviews in the literature in this field to find the total polyphenol content in cocoa during the postharvest and industrialization processes in order to define concentration ranges as a reference point for future research. In addition, it discusses in vitro and in vivo studies into the biological antioxidant potential of cocoa and its derivatives. This review covers publications in indexed databases from 2010 to 2020, their data were processed and presented here using box plots. As a result, we identified the concentration ranges of polyphenols depending on the type of matrix, treatment and country, as well as their relationship with the main bioactive compounds present in cocoa that are associated with their possible antioxidant biological potential and health-related benefits.

BACKGROUND: Andean berry contains several classes of phenolic compounds which have showed antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the Andean berry aqueous extract and to study their anti-proliferative mechanisms on SW480 and SW620 cell lines (human colon adenocarcinoma). METHODS: Total phenolic and total anthocyanins contents were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau and differential pH methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured by FRAP, ORAC and DPPH methods. Antiproliferative effect was determined by sulforhodamine colorimetric method and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide/Annexin-V. Mitochondrial potential was evaluated using DIOC6 and ROS levels were measured by 2,7-Dicholorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). RESULTS: The total phenol and anthocyanin content were 4409.78± 63,05 mg equivalents of gallic acid/100 mL and 106,57± 1.43 mg equivalents of cyanidin-3-glycoside/100 mL, respectively. Andean berry extract showed antioxidant activity by FRAP, ORAC and DPPH methods and antiproliferative effect on SW480 and SW620 cells. It was observed a cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phases on SW480 and at G0/G1 phase on SW620 cells. Aqueous extract did not induce mitochondrial depolarization or affect intracellular ROS levels. CONCLUSIONS: Andean berry aqueous extract has antioxidant capacity and induces apoptosis involving cell cycle arrest in SW480 and SW620 cells without mitochondrial damage.