UV radiation leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules exert a variety of harmful effects by altering key cellular functions and may result in cell death. Several studies have demonstrated that human skin can be protected against UV radiation by using plant-derived antioxidants.
Ultraviolet A and B radiation has been linked to skin damage like sunburn, wrinkles, and skin cancer. A compound found in grapes or grape derivatives may protect skin cells from skin-damaging ultraviolet radiation.
The researchers recently discovered that a compound found in grapes and wine can help protect skin cells from damaging ultraviolet radiation. The key behind the study is compounds called flavonoids.
Researchers evaluated the in vitro capacity of several antioxidant polyphenolic fractions from grape, which differ in their degree of polymerization and percentage of galloylation, to protect HaCaT human keratinocytes against UV-induced oxidative damage.
The flavonoids found in grapes work to halt the chemical reaction that kills skin cells and causes sun damage.
These encouraging in vitro results support further research and should be taken into consideration into the clinical pharmacology of plant-derived polyphenolic extracts as novel agents for skin photoprotection, says researchers.
Source: American Chemical Society, USA