Topical application of green and white tea extracts provides protection from solar-simulated ultraviolet light in human skin.
BACKGROUND
Tea polyphenols have been found to exert beneficial effects on the skin via their antioxidant properties.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether topical application of green tea or white tea extracts would prevent simulated solar radiation-induced oxidative damages to DNA and Langerhans cells that may lead to immune suppression and carcinogenesis.


METHODS
Skin samples were analysed from volunteers or skin explants treated with white tea or green tea after UV irradiation. In another group of patients, the in vivo immune protective effects of green and white tea were evaluated using contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene.


RESULTS
Topical application of green and white tea offered protection against detrimental effects of UV on cutaneous immunity. Such protection is not because of direct UV absorption or sunscreen effects as both products showed a sun protection factor of 1. There was no significant difference in the levels of protection afforded by the two agents. Hence, both green tea and white tea are potential photoprotective agents that may be used in conjunction with established methods of sun protection.
Camouse
Melissa M
MM
Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Domingo
Diana Santo
DS
Swain
Freddie R
FR
Conrad
Edward P
EP
Matsui
Mary S
MS
Maes
Daniel
D
Declercq
Lieve
L
Cooper
Kevin D
KD
Stevens
Seth R
SR
Baron
Elma D
ED
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000032:analysis; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000032:analysis; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D018949:Antigens, CD1; C419393:CD1a antigen; D018736:DNA Adducts; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D013662:Tea; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine