Antioxidant and photoprotective potential of Polypodium leucotomos

In recent years, Polypodium leucotomos has emerged with a great interest for having medicinal and therapeutic potential. It is producing very promising results due to the presence of antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Electronic libraries and databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies; 79 publications contributed to this review regarding Polypodium leucotomos botanical aspects, chemical composition, antioxidant and photoprotective activity. It is used in complementary and alternative therapies with various pharmaceutical dosage forms (systemic or topical). Thanks to the composition of phytochemical constituents present in the leaves and rhizomes which confer antioxidant and photoprotective activity that has clinical therapeutic potential to be used as systemic and topical sunscreen of natural origin for the prevention of different types of skin diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiations. However, more studies are needed in the future to test the ability and enhance the capacity of sunscreen and sunblock in cosmetic formulations. To conclude, it is recommended to carry out scientific studies based on different analytical methods to evaluate the phytoconstituents potential and to develop stable pharmaceutical formulations according to the skin phototype.

The potential effect of Polypodium leucotomos extract on ultraviolet- and visible light-induced photoaging

Photoaging induced by both ultraviolet and visible light has been shown to lead to increased inflammation and dysregulation of the extracellular matrix. Standardized extract of the Polypodium leucotomos fern, PLE, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been shown to potentially mitigate photoaging through various mechanisms. This comprehensive review presents the data available on the effects of P. leucotomos extract on UV and VL-induced photoaging in vitro as well as in vivo in murine and human models.

Beneficial Regulation of Cellular Oxidative Stress Effects, and Expression of Inflammatory, Angiogenic, and the Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Proteins by 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a Melanoma Cell Line

The causes of cancer include the cellular accumulation reactive oxygen species (ROS), which overrides the cellular antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, from intrinsic aging, genetics, and exposure to environmental pollutants and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ROS damage biomolecules such as DNA (including p53 gene), RNA, and lipids, and activate inflammatory, angiogenic, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling proteins; which collectively facilitate carcinogenesis. The 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Vitamin D) has anti-carcinogenic potential from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endocrine properties. We examined the anti-carcinogenic mechanism of vitamin D through the beneficial regulation of oxidative stress effects (oxidative DNA/RNA damage, superoxide dismutase expression, membrane damage, and p53 promoter activity), and expression (at the protein, mRNA and/or promoter levels) of inflammatory mediators (interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), angiogenic mediators (transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)), and the ECM remodeling proteins (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-2) by vitamin D in melanoma cells. Vitamin D inhibited oxidative DNA/RNA damage and membrane damage; and stimulated superoxide dismutase expression and p53 promoter activity in melanoma cells. It inhibited the expression of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, VEGF, MMP-1 and MMP-2 by transcriptional or post-transcriptional mechanisms. We conclude that vitamin D is beneficial to melanoma cells through the inhibition of oxidative DNA/RNA damage, membrane damage, and the expression of inflammatory, angiogenic and ECM remodeling proteins; and the stimulation of superoxide dismutase expression and p53 promoter activity.

Antiwrinkle and Antimelanogenesis Effects of Tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus KCCM12625P

UVB irradiation can induce generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause skin aging or pigmentation. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a well-known probiotic strain that regulates skin health through antimicrobial peptides and organic products produced by metabolism and through immune responses. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative, antiwrinkle, and antimelanogenesis effects of tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus KCCM12625P (AL). To analyze the effects of AL on UV irradiation-induced skin wrinkle formation in vitro, human keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts were exposed to UVB. Subsequent treatment with AL induced antiwrinkle effects by regulating wrinkle-related genes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), SIRT-1, and type 1 procollagen (COL1AL). In addition, Western blotting assays confirmed that regulation of MMPs by AL in keratinocytes was due to regulation of the AP-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, we confirmed the ability of AL to regulate melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells treated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In particular, AL reduced the mRNA expression of melanogenesis-related genes such as tyrosinase, TYRP-1, and TYRP-2. Finally, we used Western blotting assays to confirm that the antimelanogenesis role of AL was due to its regulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. Collectively, these results indicate that AL has an antiwrinkle activity in damaged skin and can inhibit melanogenesis. Thus, AL should be considered an important substance for potential use in anti-aging drugs or cosmetics.

The Beneficial Regulation of Extracellular Matrix and Heat Shock Proteins, and the Inhibition of Cellular Oxidative Stress Effects and Inflammatory Cytokines by 1α, 25 dihydroxyvitaminD3 in Non-Irradiated and Ultraviolet Radiated Dermal Fibroblasts

Intrinsic skin aging and photoaging, from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, are associated with altered regulation of genes associated with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammation, as well as cellular damage from oxidative stress. The regulatory properties of 1α, 25dihydroxyvitamin D3 (vitamin D) include endocrine, ECM regulation, cell differentiation, photoprotection, and anti-inflammation. The goal of this research was to identify the beneficial effects of vitamin D in preventing intrinsic skin aging and photoaging, through its direct effects as well as its effects on the ECM, associated heat shock proteins (HSP-47, and -70), cellular oxidative stress effects, and inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-8] in non-irradiated, UVA-radiated, UVB-radiated dermal fibroblasts. With regard to the ECM, vitamin D stimulated type I collagen and inhibited cellular elastase activity in non-irradiated fibroblasts; and stimulated type I collagen and HSP-47, and inhibited elastin expression and elastase activity in UVA-radiated dermal fibroblasts. With regard to cellular protection, vitamin D inhibited oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and lipids in non-irradiated, UVA-radiated and UVB-radiated fibroblasts, and, in addition, increased cell viability of UVB-radiated cells. With regard to anti-inflammation, vitamin D inhibited expression of Il-1 and IL-8 in UVA-radiated fibroblasts, and stimulated HSP-70 in UVA-radiated and UVB-radiated fibroblasts. Overall, vitamin D is predominantly beneficial in preventing UVA-radiation induced photoaging through the differential regulation of the ECM, HSPs, and inflammatory cytokines, and protective effects on the cellular biomolecules. It is also beneficial in preventing UVB-radiation associated photoaging through the stimulation of cell viability and HSP-70, and the inhibition of cellular oxidative damage, and in preventing intrinsic aging through the stimulation of type I collagen and inhibition of cellular oxidative damage.

Fernblock Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by Visible and Infrared A Radiation

Sun overexposure leads to higher risk of photoaging and skin cancer. The contribution of infrared (IR) and visible light (VIS) radiation is currently being taken into account in their pathogenesis. Erythema, hyperpigmentation, genotoxicity or the increase of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression are some of the effects induced by these types of radiation. Extracts of various botanicals endowed with antioxidant activity are emerging as new photoprotective compounds. A natural extract from Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock^®, FB) has antioxidant and photoprotective properties and exhibits a strong anti-aging effect. In this study, we evaluated the protective capacity of FB against the detrimental effects of infrared A (IRA) and VIS radiation in human dermal fibroblasts. We analyzed the effects of FB on the morphology, viability, cell cycle and expression of extracellular matrix components of fibroblasts subjected to VIS and IRA. Our results indicate that FB prevents cell damage caused by VIS and IRA. Moreover, it reduces the increase in MMP-1 and cathepsin K expression induced by both VIS and IRA radiation, and curbs alterations in fibrillin 1, fibrillin 2 and elastin expression. All these findings support FB as a feasible approach to prevent or treat skin damage caused by IRA or VIS exposure.

A comprehensive toxicological safety assessment of an aqueous extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock(®))

A battery of toxicological studies was conducted in accordance with internationally accepted standards to investigate the genotoxicity and repeated-dose oral toxicity of Fernblock(®), a commercial aqueous extraction of the leaves of the tropical fern Polypodium leucotomos used for its oral and topical photoprotective properties. No evidence of mutagenicity was observed in a bacterial reverse mutation test or in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test nor was any genotoxic activity observed in an in vivo mouse micronucleus test. Two repeated-dose oral toxicity studies were conducted in male and female Wistar rats. In the first study, no mortality or toxic effects were observed and no target organs were identified at doses administered for 14 days by gavage up to the maximum dose of 5000 mg/kg bw/day. Based on these results, a 90-day study was conducted at 0, 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg bw/day. No mortality or treatment-related adverse effects were observed and no target organs were identified. The NOAEL from the 90-day study was determined to be 1200 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested.