Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin.
BACKGROUND
UV radiation induces damage to human skin. Protection of skin by an oral photoprotective agent would have substantial benefits. Objective We investigated the photoprotective effect of oral administration of an extract of the natural antioxidant Polypodium leucotomos (PL).


METHODS
A total of 9 healthy participants of skin types II to III were exposed to varying doses of artificial UV radiation without and after oral administration of PL (7.5 mg/kg). At 24 hours after exposure the erythema reaction was assessed and paired biopsy specimens were obtained from PL-treated and untreated skin.


RESULTS
A significant decrease in erythema was found in PL-treated skin (P < .01). Histologically, PL-treated biopsy specimens showed less sunburn cells (P < .05), cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (P < .001), proliferating epidermal cells (P < .001), and dermal mast cell infiltration (P < .05). A trend toward Langerhans cell preservation was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral administration of PL is an effective systemic chemophotoprotective agent leading to significant protection of skin against UV radiation.
Middelkamp-Hup
Maritza A
MA
Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Pathak
Madhu A
MA
Parrado
Concepcion
C
Goukassian
David
D
Rius-Díaz
Francisca
F
Mihm
Martín C
MC
Fitzpatrick
Thomas B
TB
González
Salvador
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032494:Polypodium; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D010936:Plant Extracts