Carnosine and N-Acetylcarnosine Induce Inhibition of UVB Erythema in Human Skin
- 1
- 2
- 3
Abstract
Background: Carnosine is a low molecular weight water soluble biological dipeptide, composed of alanine and histidine, present in a levorotatory form in mammalian tissues. Interesting activities are related to the detoxification from free radical species and byproducts of membrane lipids peroxidation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the photoprotective properties of carnosine and acetylated carnosine when applied to human skin. Materials and methods: Carnosine and N-acetylcarnosine at 0.5% solution in water were applied before and after UVB irradiation in twenty healthy volunteers with phototype 2 or 3. 9 patients were males and 11 females, 25 to 46 years of age. None of the patients had a positive case history for photodermatoses or had received any sun exposure. The minimal erithemal dose (MED) for UVB was determined before the study with a UVB Philips TL12 lamp with a radiance of 4 mW/cm2 and a 290 - 320 nm emission spectrum. Results: Carnosine solution obtained 3.6% reduction of erythema (compared to MED) and N-acetylcarnosine 7.3% reduction. Conclusions: An antioxidant capacity of N-acetylcarnosine and carnosine was shown, probably more significant with vehicles improving skin penetration of the substances through skin barrier. N-acetylcarnosine represents an interesting hydrophilic antioxidant for dermatological preparations.
- A. Guiotto, A. Calderan, P. Ruzza and G. Borin, “Carnosine and Carnosine-Related Antioxidants: A Review,” Current Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 12, No. 20, 2005, pp. 2293-2315. doi:10.2174/0929867054864796
- Y. Shen, S. Zhang, L. Fu, W. Hu and Z. Chen, “Carnosine Attenuates Mast Cell Degranulation and Histamine Release Induced by Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation,” Cell Biochemistry and Function, Vol. 26, No.3, 2008, pp. 334-338. doi:10.1002/cbf.1447
- F. Bellia, A. M. Amorini, D. La Mendola, et al., “New Glycosidic Derivatives of Histidine-Containing Dipeptides with Antioxidant Properties and Resistant to Carnosinase Activity,” European Journal of Medicinal Che- mistry, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2008, pp. 373-380. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2007.03.038
- V. E. Reeve, M. Bosnic and E. Rozinova, “Carnosine (Beta-Alanylhistidine) Protects from the Suppression of Contact Hypersensitivity by Ultraviolet B (280 - 320 nm) Radiation or by cis-Urocanic Acid,” Immunology, Vol. 78, No. 1, 1993, pp. 99-104.
- P. Santoianni, M. Nino and G. Calabrò, “Intradermal Drug Delivery by Low Frequency Sonophoresis (25 KHz),” Dermatology Online Journal, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2004; p. 24.