title: Anthocyanin-rich extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx counteracts UVC-caused impairments in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultraviolet radiation (UV) was reported to cause oxidative stress. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) calyx is commonly used in traditional Asian and African medicines and possesses strong antioxidant capacity due to its anthocyanin (ANTH) content.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study researched the possible protective role of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract (HSCE) in UVC exposure of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Levels of serum enzymes, renal function tests, and some oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers of skin, lens, and retina tissues were monitored. Rats were exposed to UVC 4 h daily for 40 d and simultaneously received HSCE containing 2.5, 5, and 10 mg doses of ANTH in drinking water.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (p < 0.05) increases in the levels of serum aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, creatinine, and uric acid were noted after UVC exposure. In skin, lens, and retina tissues, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation escalated markedly (p < 0.05) whereas total antioxidant status, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase decreased dramatically (p < 0.05) related to UVC. Co-administration of HSCE with each ANTH dose significantly (p < 0.05) reversed aforementioned parameters (except total oxidant status) almost in all tissues. The LD50 of HSCE in rats was determined to be above 5000 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data revealed that HSCE has a remarkable potential to counteract UVC-caused impairments, probably through its antioxidant and free radical-defusing effects. Therefore, HSCE could be useful against some cutaneous and ocular diseases in which UV and oxidative stress have a role in the etiopathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University , Van , Turkey .
authors.forename: Hatice Uce
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Ozkol
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koyuncu
authors.forename: Yasin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tuluce
authors.forename: Nihat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dilsiz
authors.forename: Sinan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soral
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozkol
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D035264:Flowers; D031584:Hibiscus; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Anthocyanins; lens; oxidative stress; photoaging; photocarcinogenesis; retina; skin; ultraviolet radiation