Topical Treatment of Skin Injury Inflicted in Mice by X-Ray Irradiation

Abstract

Background/Aims: There is no treatment, without side effects, efficiently preventing or curing skin burns, caused by radiotherapy. A new experimental topical treatment protocol was assessed in mice receiving orthovoltage X-rays at an equivalent dose to that applied to human breast cancer patients in conventional radiotherapy. Methods: SKH-HR2 female hairless mice were irradiated on their dorsum with a total dose of 4,300 cGy during a 1-month period (20 fractions). The treatment group received a combination of 3 topical products, an oil-in-water cream, a gel containing Pinus halepensis bark aqueous extract, and an ointment containing olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides. The positive control group was treated with a conventionally used commercial gel, whereas the negative control group did not receive any topical treatment. Skin alterations were evaluated by macroscopic examinations, measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin content, erythema intensity, hydration, and histopathology assessment. Results: Sixty days after radiation, TEWL and hydration values were abnormal and elements of acute, chronic, and granulomatous inflammation were present in all cases. The severest damage was detected in the deeper dermis. Treatment showed a comparatively beneficial effect on chronic and granulomatous inflammation while positive control was beneficial on acute inflammation. Conclusion: Skin anti-inflammatory treatment was the most effective but must be applied for several months. Further preclinical studies should be conducted, assimilating a human cancer radiation therapeutic schema with the aim of optimizing skin inflammation treatment.

In Vivo Evaluation of the Wound Healing Activity of Extracts and Bioactive Constituents of the Marine Isopod Ceratothoa oestroides

“…Wounds were induced on SKH-hr1 hairless male mice by surgically removing a 1 cm 2 piece of skin from the dorsal region of each mouse and were treated daily by topical application of ointments incorporating 1% of the five above-mentioned extracts, as well as an ointment containing 1% C. oestroides olive oil extract (COOE) previously investigated [21] for comparison purposes. Additionally, a group of mice receiving no topical treatment was used as negative control.…”

“…The marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides is a parasite found in the buccal cavity of fish, causing serious lesions and often leading to the death of the host, especially of young fish [19,20]. Recently we have demonstrated the significant in vivo wound healing potential of a C. oestroides oily extract [21,22]. Herein, a series of different polarity (organic and aqueous) extracts of C. oestroides was prepared and evaluated for their wound healing activity on SKH-hr1 hairless mice, while the most active extract was fractionated for enrichment in the bioactive constituents.…”

Protective Effects of Pinus halepensis Bark Extract and Nicotine on Cigarette Smoke-induced Oxidative Stress in Keratinocytes

“…Particular efforts have been made to address the negative effects of CS either on reducing or even eliminating the oxidative stress. In this context, Pinus halepensis bark extract has been used, which showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties upon tobacco smoke, UV or X-rays irradiation of mouse skin, in vivo (27)(28)(29)37). Herein, our observations indicated that Pinus halepensis bark extract was able to protect primary mice keratinocytes from the effects of CS on both viability and oxidative stress, compared to other antioxidants or to the control (non treated) group.…”

“…On the other hand, there are many published studies, where the researchers evaluate the antioxidant activity of extracts of various plant extracts. Among them, Pinus halepensis, also known as Aleppo pine, is a Mediterranean pine with a bark extract rich in phenolic antioxidants, such as procyanidins and phenolic acids, which appears to effectively protect against skin inflammation induced by Xrays and UV radiation, in vivo (27,28). Moreover, Pinus maritima bark extract has been shown to protect skin against tobacco smoke and UV radiation (29)(30)(31).…”

Plant Extracts as Possible Agents for Sequela of Cancer Therapies and Cachexia

“…This result indicates that Zingerone inhibits the Ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, affects expression of cell cycle arrest and cell survival-related genes, attenuates UVB-induced cell damage. Meimeti et al suggested that gel containing Pinus halepensis bark aqueous extract and ointment containing olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides mitigated skin injury induced by X-ray irradiation [ 113 ]. When 5% Pinus halepensis bark aqueous extract and 10% ointment containing olive oil extract of the marine isopod Ceratothoa oestroides were topically applied for 60 days, alleviation of skin redness and hydration was observed.…”