Bianchetti Giada, Bottoni Patrizia, Tringali Giuseppe, Maulucci Giuseppe, Tabolacci Elisabetta, Clementi Maria Elisabetta
Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCSS, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Curr Res Pharmacol Drug Discov. 2024 May 23;6:100186. doi: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100186. eCollection 2024.
Polyphenols are a class of natural compounds that act as antioxidants, neutralising harmful free radicals that would damage cells and increase the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. They also reduce inflammation, which is thought to be at the root of many chronic diseases. We are investigating the photoprotective effects of punicalagin, a type of polyphenolic compound mainly found in pomegranates, against UVA-induced damage in human skin fibroblasts. Punicalagin increases cell viability and reduces the high levels of ROS generated by photooxidative stress through its ability to modulate the Nrf2 transcriptional pathway. Interestingly, activation of the Nrf2 pathway results in an increase in reduced glutathione, NADH, and subsequently protects mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Integrating molecular and imaging approaches, our results demonstrate a potential cytoprotective effect of punicalagin against UVA-induced skin damage through an anti-apoptotic mechanism.
多酚是一类天然化合物，具有抗氧化作用，能中和会损害细胞并增加患癌症、糖尿病和心脏病等疾病风险的有害自由基。它们还能减轻炎症，而炎症被认为是许多慢性疾病的根源。我们正在研究石榴皮素（一种主要存在于石榴中的多酚类化合物）对UVA诱导的人皮肤成纤维细胞损伤的光保护作用。石榴皮素通过调节Nrf2转录途径的能力，提高细胞活力并降低光氧化应激产生的高水平活性氧。有趣的是，Nrf2途径的激活会导致还原型谷胱甘肽、NADH增加，进而保护线粒体呼吸能力。综合分子和成像方法，我们的结果表明石榴皮素通过抗凋亡机制对UVA诱导的皮肤损伤具有潜在的细胞保护作用。
