title: Neuroprotective effects of a new skin care formulation following ultraviolet exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure is a major environmental factor involved in extrinsic skin ageing (photo-ageing). Skin nerve fibres are significantly reduced in number following UV irradiation and new skincare compounds with neuroprotective effects are thus highly warranted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We developed a new skincare formulation from a plant extract and evaluated its neuroprotective effects of ex vivo UV irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The new skincare emulsion was formulated from Echinacea purpurea extract and was enriched with antioxidants (patent no. PROV020110087075). Skin samples were obtained from 20 healthy patients enrolled for plastic surgery and were immediately treated with placebo (SPF 15) or test emulsions. Skin samples were exposed to UVA and UVB for 60 min. Nerve fibres were identified by immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody, anti-human CD56. Cell damage was quantified by image analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UVA and UVB significantly reduced (40-60%) densities of nerve endings in control samples treated with placebo (P < 0.001). Samples treated with test emulsion completely blocked UV-related effects on skin nerve endings. These neuroprotective effects were similarly observed regardless of age or tissue analysed (breast versus abdomen).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our new skincare formulation obtained from E. purpurea provides important neuroprotective effects of UV irradiation and could be used together with SPFs to prevent chronic deleterious effects of solar exposure.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Research, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. mebauer@pucrs.br
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonorino
authors.forename: T W F
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Corte
authors.forename: V D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D020900:Echinacea; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013473:Sunscreening Agents