Carotenoids exclusively synthesized in red pepper (capsanthin and capsorubin) protect human dermal fibroblasts against UVB induced DNA damage

Abstract

Photoprotection by dietary carotenoids has been linked to their antioxidant properties, in particular quenching of singlet molecular oxygen and scavenging of peroxyl radicals. Here, we compared the DNA-protection and antioxidant effects of selected carotenoids exclusively synthesized in red pepper (capsanthin and capsorubin) to the xanthophyll lutein. Preincubation of human dermal fibroblasts (hdf) with capsanthin and capsorubin significantly counteracted UVB induced cytotoxicity at doses between 0 and 300 mJ cm(-2). Pretreatment of hdf with capsanthin, capsorubin or lutein (1 μM) significantly decreased the formation of DNA strand breaks following irradiation with UVB light. All carotenoids studied decreased caspase-3 cleavage (a marker for UVB-induced apoptosis), however, caspase dependent PARP-1 cleavage was not affected suggesting that the remaining caspase activity is sufficient to promote UVB-induced apoptosis. It is conceivable that carotenoids selectively interfere with cellular responses activated by UVB-mediated damage. Our findings indicate that capsanthin and capsorubin exhibit similar properties to lutein and could be used as a dietary supplement to improve natural photoprotection.

Plant extracts and natural compounds used against UVB-induced photoaging

“…Moreover, cultivation of NHDF in media containing capsanthin prior to UVB irradiation prevented caspase-3 cleavage and consequently apoptotic cell death. Collectively, these results reinforce the idea that these compounds could be used as dietary supplement to improve natural photoprotection (Fernández-García et al 2016). …”

“…Capsanthin and capsorubin are carotenoids found exclusively in red pepper fruits (Fernández-García et al 2016). Carotenoids are tetraterpenes which present high antioxidant capacity, in particular quenching of singlet molecular oxygen and scavenging of peroxyl radicals (Bosch et al 2015).…”

“…The protective properties of capsanthin and capsorubin against UVB-induced photodamage of CCD-1064Sk human dermal fibroblasts were evaluated (Fernández-García et al 2016). For this purpose, cells were preincubated with 1 µM of capsanthin or capsorubin prior to UVB treatment and analyzed for DNA damage and induction of apoptosis.…”

Antioxidants from Plants Protect against Skin Photoaging

“…Among carotenoids, β -carotene, lycopene, canthaxanthin, and lutein that are derived from different plant sources such as tomato, carrots, and algae are the most abundant [ 107 ]. Carotenoids capsanthin and capsorubin from red pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) fruits have also been found to have protective properties against UVB-induced DNA damage in human dermal fibroblasts [ 88 , 108 ]. Indeed, cell pretreatment with these carotenoids decreased the formation of UVB-induced DNA strand breaks and counteracted caspase-3 activation [ 108 ].…”

Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Red Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using a Modified QuEChERS Method and UHPLC-MS/MS Analysis and Its Relation to Antioxidant Activity

“…In this sense, the extracts of the red sweet pepper obtained after the following the clean-up steps (T4, T5, T6 and T7) were submitted to spectrophotometric analysis by scanning each extract in a wavelength range of 200-800 nm as presented in Figure 3. The analysis was carried out in this region because it includes the region of maximum absorption of the carotenoids, 67 which are the main interferents present in extracts of red sweet pepper. 68 Comparing results obtained for extracts submitted to the clean-up step (T4, T5, T6 and T7) with the extract without a clean-up step (Figure 3), a decrease in extract absorption can be noted, especially in the region of maximum carotenoid absorption (410-510 nm).…”