BACKGROUND: Virtually all plants and animals protect themselves from the sun using vitamins C and E. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to see if a combination of topical vitamins C and E is better for UV protection to skin than an equivalent concentration of topical vitamin C or E alone. METHODS: We developed a stable aqueous solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 1% alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). We applied antioxidant or vehicle solutions to pig skin daily for 4 days. We irradiated (1-5x minimal erythema dose) control- and antioxidant-treated skin using a solar simulator with a 295-nm band-pass filter. On day 5, we measured antioxidant protection factor, erythema, sunburn cells, and thymine dimers. RESULTS: The combination of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha-tocopherol provided significant protection against erythema and sunburn cell formation; either L-ascorbic acid or 1% alpha-tocopherol alone also was protective but the combination was superior. Application during 4 days provided progressive protection that yielded an antioxidant protection factor of 4-fold. In addition, the combination of vitamins C and E provided protection against thymine dimer formation. CONCLUSION: Appreciable photoprotection can be obtained from the combination of topical vitamins C and E. We suggest that these natural products may protect against skin cancer and photoaging.
BACKGROUND: Virtually all plants and animals protect themselves from the sun using vitamins C and E. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to see if a combination of topical vitamins C and E is better for UV protection to skin than an equivalent concentration of topical vitamin C or E alone. METHODS: We developed a stable aqueous solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 1% alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). We applied antioxidant or vehicle solutions to pig skin daily for 4 days. We irradiated (1-5x minimal erythema dose) control- and antioxidant-treated skin using a solar simulator with a 295-nm band-pass filter. On day 5, we measured antioxidant protection factor, erythema, sunburn cells, and thymine dimers. RESULTS: The combination of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% alpha-tocopherol provided significant protection against erythema and sunburn cell formation; either L-ascorbic acid or 1% alpha-tocopherol alone also was protective but the combination was superior. Application during 4 days provided progressive protection that yielded an antioxidant protection factor of 4-fold. In addition, the combination of vitamins C and E provided protection against thymine dimer formation. CONCLUSION: Appreciable photoprotection can be obtained from the combination of topical vitamins C and E. We suggest that these natural products may protect against skin cancer and photoaging.
Authors: Sérgio Schalka; Denise Steiner; Flávia Naranjo Ravelli; Tatiana Steiner; Aripuanã Cobério Terena; Carolina Reato Marçon; Eloisa Leis Ayres; Flávia Alvim Sant'anna Addor; Helio Amante Miot; Humberto Ponzio; Ida Duarte; Jane Neffá; José Antônio Jabur da Cunha; Juliana Catucci Boza; Luciana de Paula Samorano; Marcelo de Paula Corrêa; Marcus Maia; Nilton Nasser; Olga Maria Rodrigues Ribeiro Leite; Otávio Sergio Lopes; Pedro Dantas Oliveira; Renata Leal Bregunci Meyer; Tânia Cestari; Vitor Manoel Silva dos Reis; Vitória Regina Pedreira de Almeida Rego Journal: An Bras Dermatol Date: 2014 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 1.896
Authors: Joanne M Jeter; Tawnya L Bowles; Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski; Susan M Swetter; Fabian V Filipp; Zalfa A Abdel-Malek; Larisa J Geskin; Jerry D Brewer; Jack L Arbiser; Jeffrey E Gershenwald; Emily Y Chu; John M Kirkwood; Neil F Box; Pauline Funchain; David E Fisher; Kari L Kendra; Ashfaq A Marghoob; Suephy C Chen; Michael E Ming; Mark R Albertini; John T Vetto; Kim A Margolin; Sherry L Pagoto; Jennifer L Hay; Douglas Grossman; Darrel L Ellis; Mohammed Kashani-Sabet; Aaron R Mangold; Svetomir N Markovic; Frank L Meyskens; Kelly C Nelson; Jennifer G Powers; June K Robinson; Debjani Sahni; Aleksandar Sekulic; Vernon K Sondak; Maria L Wei; Jonathan S Zager; Robert P Dellavalle; John A Thompson; Martin A Weinstock; Sancy A Leachman; Pamela B Cassidy Journal: Cancer Date: 2018-10-03 Impact factor: 6.860