In vivo and in vitro evaluation of photochemoprevent activity of vegetable extracts

• Grant number: 08/00216-5
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2009 - January 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Medicines Analysis and Control
• Principal researcher: Maria José Vieira Fonseca
• Grantee: Maria José Vieira Fonseca
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA, 2007), skin cancer is the most frequent form of cancer, corresponding to almost 25% of all tumors diagnosticated and UVR (ultraviolet radiation) is its biggest causing agent. Due to pollution, the Ozone Depletion Process increased the incidence of UVR on Earth and consequently the number of skin cancer cases has been on the rise. Some studies have shown that damages caused to skin by sun radiation are usually due to the formation of free radicals and the activation of inflammatory mediators. In this way, calendule extract (Calendula officinalis) and biotransformed soybean (Glycine max) extract could be used in topical formulations, aiming the prevention of damages caused to skin by sun radiation, since these extracts have poliphenolic components with a highlighted antioxidant and/or antiinflammatory activity. Although some studies describe the pharmacologic activity of these extracts, there aren't studies directed to a photochemopreventive evaluation and to their celular toxicity to skin cells. So, the purpose of this project is to evaluate a possible photochemopreventive effect and celular toxicity of the calendule extract and the soybean biotransformed by Aspergillus awamori extract, through "in vitro" studies in fibroblast cell cultures irradiated with UVR. And also, some topical formulations containing these extracts are going to be developed and their photochemopreventive efficacy are going to be evaluated through "in vivo" studies in hairless mice irradiated with UVR. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE SOUZA, REBECA OLIVEIRA; DIAS ALVES, GEORGIA DE ASSIS; SCARANO AGUILLERA, ANA LUIZA; ROGEZ, HERVE; VIEIRA FONSECA, MARIA JOSE. Photochemoprotective effect of a fraction of a partially purified extract of Byrsonima crassifolia leaves against UVB-induced oxidative stress in fibroblasts and hairless mice. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY, v. 178, p. 53-60, JAN 2018. Web of Science Citations: 5.