Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the influence of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract （GSPE） on sunburn cell formation and p53 protein expression induced by acute ultraviolet injury. Methods Ten volunteers were enrolled in this study. The buttock region served as the exposed region. Four areas were randomized and delineated on the buttock: one area （control area） received no exposure or product, the other 3 areas were exposed to two minimal erythema doses （MED） of simulated solar radiation （SSR） for 3 days. Of the 3 exposed areas, one area （SSR） received no product before exposure, one area （SSR + Veh） was pretreated with vehicle, the third area （SSR + GSPE） with the samples of GSPE. GSPE or vehicle was applied 30 minutes before each exposure at 2 μL/cm2. Skin biopsy was performed 24 hours after the last exposure, and skin specimens were subjected to hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining and histochemical analysis for p53 protein. Results There was a statistical difference in the number of sunburn cells per high power field （× 200） between SSR sites and SSR + GSPE sites （29.8 ± 11.1 cells vs 2.2 ± 0.2 cells, P < 0.01）. A significant decrease was noticed in the account of p53 protein-positive cells per high power field （× 200） in SSR + GSPE sites compared with the SSR sites （4.6 ± 0.7 cells vs 19.3 ± 3.4 cells, P < 0.05）. Conclusion GSPE exerts a potential protective effect against acute ultraviolet injury and can serve as a natural sunscreen.

Key words: Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract, sunburn, Sunburn cells, p53