Potential of Curcumin in Skin Disorders.

Curcumin is a compound isolated from turmeric, a plant known for its medicinal use. Recently, there is a growing interest in the medical community in identifying novel, low-cost, safe molecules that may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that curcumin may represent an effective agent in the treatment of several skin conditions. We examined the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies published to date regarding the use of curcumin in inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious skin diseases, providing information on its bioavailability and safety profile. Moreover, we performed a computational analysis about curcumin's interaction towards the major enzymatic targets identified in the literature. Our results suggest that curcumin may represent a low-cost, well-tolerated, effective agent in the treatment of skin diseases. However, bypass of limitations of its in vivo use (low oral bioavailability, metabolism) is essential in order to conduct larger clinical trials that could confirm these observations. The possible use of curcumin in combination with traditional drugs and the formulations of novel delivery systems represent a very promising field for future applicative research.

Protective effects of Polypodium leucotomos extract against UVB-induced damage in a model of reconstructed human epidermis.

BACKGROUND: Polypodium leucotomos (PL) exerts potent antioxidant, photo-protective, and immune-modulatory activities. A reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) (Episkin) is a suitable model for the evaluation of acute UV-induced cell damage. No data regarding the photo-protective action of PL in this model are available. PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of PL on the prevention of UVB-induced cell damage assessing sunburn cells, CPD formation, p53, Ki-67, p21 expression, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) production. MATERIALS & METHODS: RHE was incubated in standard conditions. PL was topically applied at the concentration of 2 mg/cm2 , immediately before UVB exposition. UVB exposition (300 mJ/cm2 ) was performed using a dedicated UVB lamp. Irradiated samples without PL and non-irradiated samples were used as positive and negative controls. Expression of p53, p21, and Ki-67 was evaluated with immune-histochemical methods. CPD were measured using a monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: PL significantly reduced sunburned cells (-80%) in comparison with positive control. PL significantly prevented the increase in EGF production at tested times. PL significantly reduced the p53 (-80%), p21 (-84%), and Ki-67 (-48%) positive cells. Finally, PL prevented the formation of CPD (0% vs. 20% positive cells). CONCLUSION: In this model, PL has shown to prevent UVB cell damage, the upregulation of proliferating proteins, and fully blocking the formation of CPD.

Causal relationship between exposure to chemicals and malignant melanoma? A review and study proposal.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The MM-related incidence and mortality have been increasing at an alarming rate over at least the past four decades. Malignant melanoma has been thought to be related mainly to exposure to the sun or UV radiation. A review of the scientific literature reveals many significant correlations between chemical exposure in the workplace and the occurrence of malignant melanoma, particularly in cutaneous areas that have never been exposed to sunlight. Discrepant findings are reported by independent studies concluding that MM is causally related to employment-related chemical exposures and to investigators with industry affiliations. More studies are needed to define a correlation of chemical exposure as a co-factor on the pathogenesis in some melanoma patients. We propose further investigation by dermatologists working in Melanoma Centers, using a simple questionnaire on chemical exposure among patients, that have previously been diagnosed and are followed up for melanoma comparing with appropriate matched controls. Collecting the data and results from the questionnaire will help us understand the initiation events in melanoma and prevention health issues.