Participation of hidroalcoholic Pothomorphe umbellata root extract fractions without 4-nerolidylcatechol in the antioxidant and inhibitory metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activities in the skin

Author(s)

Rebeca Leite de Almeida

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2011-03-25

Examining board members

Silvia Berlanga de Moraes Barros; Paolo Di Mascio; Paulo Roberto Hrihorowitsch Moreno; Valéria Petri

• Advisor: Silvia Berlanga de Moraes Barros

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation exposure induces the development of undesirable effects, including photoageing and photocarcinogenesis. One way of preventing these effects is the use of natural antioxidants. The Pothomorphe umbellata (PU) root extract shows antioxidant and photoprotective activities, which have been attributed, in part, to 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), the main compound from this plant species. In previous studies, the plant extract was more efficient than 4-NC as an antioxidant and in metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitory activities, suggesting the presence of others compounds that could be related with these properties, as well as a possible synergic effect. The purpose of this study was to obtain fractions from PU without 4-NC, and to evaluate the antioxidant, photoprotection and skin MMPs 2 and 9 inhibitory activity of this fractionation. The P.umbellata hidroalcoholic root extract was submitted to liquid/liquid extraction with hexane followed by n-buthanol, from which derived a final residue of aqueous extract. The n-buthanolic (NBUT) and aqueous (AQ) fractions did not show the presence of 4-NC. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity by DPPH and ORAC for the 3 fractions showed higher antioxidant activity for the hexanic (HEX) fraction, followed by the NBUT and AQ fractions. The same profile was observed for phenolic compound concentration. However the presence of flavonols in the fractions and PU root extract was not detected. The gel-cream topic treatment containing PU root extract, NBUT fraction and NBUT+4NC, 2h before acute UVB exposure (2 MED - 204,36 mJ/cm2), was insufficient to promote the normal conditions of basal level antioxidant system depleted approximately 20% after 12h of the exposure compared with the control. The same treatment evaluated by immunohistochemistry, was not able to reduce the CPD (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) 2h after the exposure. In 12h reduction of SBC (sunburn cells) and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) in PU and NBUT mouse groups was observed. The p53 and p21 proteins were reduced in PU and NBUT+4NC groups, respectively. The activity of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMPs) of mouse skin homogenates after 24h acute UVB exposure, evaluated by zymography, was inhibited by the NBUT fraction. The observed results for NBUT that showed lower antioxidant activity than HEX suggest that the inhibitory effects of MMPs activity may not be related to the antioxidant capacity. It has not been possible to identify the compound(s) that are probably responsible for inhibitory activity of MMPs from the NBUT fraction. (AU)