Study of antioxidant properties of thylakoids and application in UV protection and repair of UV‐induced damage

Abstract

Background Skin is affected by environmental stress such as ultraviolet exposure. Topically applied antioxidants confer protection against this stress. Spinach thylakoid extracts are plant samples known as photosynthetic membranes containing antioxidant molecules able to dissipate excess of energy and oxidative stress. Methods Antioxidant contents and activities were tested in thylakoid extracts stored for different periods at 4°C to compare their efficacities. Cytotoxicity of thylakoids was tested on human THP‐1 cells along with the capacity to protect from oxidative stress using flow cytometry. Protection of thylakoids against ultraviolet was tested on engineered human skin using two formulations and evaluated by electronic microscopy. Results Results indicate that thylakoid extracts possess antioxidant molecules that were not significantly affected by storage at 4°C whereas photosynthetic activity was storage‐dependent. Thylakoid extracts were not cytotoxic to human THP‐1 cells, and three extracts protected cells against reactive oxygen species. Moreover, formulation comprising 0.1% or 0.01% of thylakoids and sunscreen provided a synergetic protection against UV exposure. Thylakoid extracts mixed with a neutral cream were also able to repair UV damages on engineered human skin. Conclusions Thylakoid extracts contained various antioxidant molecules, and their properties were maintained in over storage at 4°C for more than 72 months. Molecules and enzymes present in thylakoid extracts are involved in protecting and restoring the harmful effects of UV exposure. The involvement of antioxidant molecules such as carotenoids, SOD, and Fe‐S clusters in cellular and regulatory metabolic reactions may explain the observed protective effects.

Comparison of topical antiaging creams in the management of lateral canthal lines

“…The current study employed several objective and self‐reported measures to compare the experimental Purgenesis™ topical antiaging product line in development, including eye, day, and night creams, with two marketed product lines: Prevage ® and La Mer ® . The principal ingredient of Purgenesis™ is the patented R‐Spinasome ® , a thylakoid extract with demonstrated antioxidant properties . Thylakoids play a key role in the safe processing and dissipation of harmful energy generated by the interaction of antioxidant complex‐containing photosynthetic cell extracts with ROS .…”

“…Cutaneous elasticity, another key parameter, is measured with a Cutometer ® . Cutometric measurement was demonstrated to be an objective, precise, and noninvasive technique to measure a patient's skin's viscoelastic properties . The skin's appearance is related to and highly affected by its elastic properties.…”

Thykamine Extracts from Spinach Reduce Acute Inflammation In Vivo and Downregulate Phlogogenic Functions of Human Blood Neutrophils In Vitro

“…Rats were injected intraperitoneally with Thykamine (50, 5, or 0.5 mg/kg) in sterile physiologic saline (1 mL) immediately prior to anesthesia. These doses were selected based on previous studies [6,7].…”

“…After centrifugation at 10,000× g for 30 min at 4 • C, the supernatant was collected and SOD activity was assayed using the photo-oxidation of riboflavin generating ROS, including O 2 − . These anions reduced nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) at 560 nm [7].…”

“…For example, immuno-modulatory properties of Thykamine on alveolar macrophages were demonstrated through regulation of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokine production [6]. Moreover, it was shown that Thykamine contained various antioxidant molecules and enzymes involved in protecting and restoring the harmful effects of UV exposure [7]. Since neutrophils are the most abundant cellular subset and the first migrating cells accumulating at sites of inflammation with possible deleterious effects, we proposed that Thykamine could affect neutrophils function at these sites.…”