Objectives: 

Photochemoprevention with natural products represents a new concept in the attempt to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its action remain unclear. The aim of the study is to assess the mechanisms involved in grape seeds extract Burgund Mare variety (BM) effects on single and multiple doses (10 consecutive days) of UVB-induced skin damage in SKH-1 hairless mice.

Materials: 

The extract was applied topically before each UVB exposure in two doses (2.5 and 4 mg total polyphenolic content /40μl/cm2). At 24 hrs after the last treatment, total mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42MAPkinase, ERK 1/2), nuclear factor-kB (phospho-NF-kB p65) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) levels were measured in skin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Caspase-3, p53, bcl-2 and bax expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results: 

One topical application of BM extract reduced the MMP-9 secretion UVB-mediated (inhibition 54%, p<0.004) via inhibition of NF-kB activation (inhibition 68%) and diminished caspase-3, p53, bcl-2 and bax expressions. In multiple UVB exposures, both doses of BM extract induced the increase of ERK 1/2 level in correlation with activation of NF-kB and reduced the secretion of MMP-9 (inhibition 62%, p<0.04) and expression of apoptosis markers. Pretreatment with BM diminished the MMP-2 protein secretion only in one single UVB-irradiated group (p<0.0001) and decreased TIMP-1 level (p<0.001).

Conclusions: 

The results obtained demonstrated the dual effect of BM extract in skin protection against different doses of UVB irradiation.