An Evaluation of Root Phytochemicals Derived from Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus as Potential Natural Components of UV Protecting Dermatological Formulations

Abstract

As lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has risen, the deleterious effects have also become more apparent. Numerous sunscreen and skincare products have therefore been developed to help reduce the occurrence of sunburn, photoageing, and skin carcinogenesis. This has stimulated research into identifying new natural sources of effective skin protecting compounds. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was employed to assess aqueous extracts derived from soil or hydroponically glasshouse-grown roots of Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus, compared with commercial, field-grown roots. Hydroponically grown root extracts from both plant species were found to significantly reduce UVA-induced DNA damage in cultured human lung and skin fibroblasts, although initial Astragalus experimentation detected some genotoxic effects, indicating that Althea root extracts may be better suited as potential constituents of dermatological formulations. Glasshouse-grown soil and hydroponic Althea root extracts afforded lung fibroblasts with statistically significant protection against UVA irradiation for a greater period of time than the commercial field-grown roots. No significant reduction in DNA damage was observed when total ultraviolet irradiation (including UVB) was employed (data not shown), indicating that the extracted phytochemicals predominantly protected against indirect UVA-induced oxidative stress. Althea phytochemical root extracts may therefore be useful components in dermatological formulations.

Impact on Autophagy and Ultraviolet B Induced Responses of Treatment with the MTOR Inhibitors Rapamycin, Everolimus, Torin 1, and pp242 in Human Keratinocytes

“…The role of MTOR signaling in keratinocytes has not been fully clarified, although it has been reported to be involved in keratinocyte biology and pathology. Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, a common stressor of skin [19], is involved in various skin disorders such as sunburn [20], photocarcinogenesis [21], photoaging [22], and melanogenesis [23]. Importantly, UVB radiation was reported to increase the cascaded phosphorylation of MTOR substrate 4E-BP1 and its detachment from eIF-4E via the p38 pathway in the mouse epidermal cell line [24].…”

36H: A Novel Potent Inhibitor for Antimelanogenesis

“…Our work demonstrated that 36H altered MITF RNA expression, but there was insignificant change in the amount of protein production. Tyrosinase affects melanin biosynthesis and TRP-2 and TRP-1 [ 23 ]. Dopachrome is catalyzed to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2carboxylic acid by TRP-2, and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2carboxylic acid is transferred to indole-5,6-quinone carboxylic acid via TRP-1 [ 24 ], which is then synthesized into eumelanin [ 16 ].…”

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Neuroprotection after Brain Insults with Special Reference to Radioprotection

“…Hydroponically grown root extracts from Astragalus membranaceus significantly reduced UVA-induced DNA damage in cultured human lung and skin fibroblasts [68]. In the brain of rats with acute encephalopathy caused by 60 Co www.videleaf.com irradiation, the intraperitoneal injection of Astragalus parenteral solution decreased the nitric oxide and ameliorated the cognitive ability, suggesting that astragale may protect radiation-induced brain injury [69,70].…”

“…Similarly, Acrous tatrinouill shots [49,51,103], Polygona sibiricum [52], and Cynomorium songaricum Rupr [54][55][56]104,105] also increased the brain SOD, reduced MDA, and improved the impairment of learning and memory, whereas Alpinia oxyphylla miq. fruit, Broomrape, and Astragalus membranaceus are antioxidative and antiapoptotic [57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75]87], and Salvia miltiorrhiza decreased the brain lipid peroxidase in AD rats [76,80,81]. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort inhibited free radicals in hypoxia and reduced neuronal apoptosis [85].…”