Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

12:37
Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV-induced oxidation in human epidermis
K Schweikert1, F Gafner, G Dell'Acqua
1Induchem AG, Industriestrasse 8, 8604 Volketswil.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
|October 13, 2009
Summary
A new bioactive complex combats UV-induced skin damage by preventing protein oxidation and supporting repair enzymes. This offers protection against photo-ageing, dehydration, and age spots.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- UV radiation causes skin damage via protein oxidation.
- Accumulation of oxidized proteins contributes to skin ageing, elastosis, and pigmentation.
- Proteasome activity and protective enzyme function decline with age, exacerbating damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a bioactive complex of Panthenyl triacetate and Ethyl linoleate for combating UV-induced protein oxidation.
- To evaluate the complex's efficacy in protecting against UV damage and supporting skin repair mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Testing a 3% concentration of the bioactive complex on human skin biopsies.
- Assessing protection against UV (UVA + UVB)-induced protein oxidation via pre- and post-irradiation treatments.
- Measuring the impact of the complex on mRNA expression of protein repairing enzymes, specifically Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (MSR).
Main Results:
- The complex demonstrated significant protection against UV-induced protein oxidation (72% pre-treatment, 78% post-treatment).
- UV irradiation decreased mRNA for protein repairing enzymes like MSR.
- The bioactive complex stimulated the expression of these essential repairing enzymes.
Conclusions:
- The bioactive complex effectively prevents UV-induced protein oxidation in human skin.
- It supports the expression of crucial protein repairing enzymes, counteracting UV-induced downregulation.
- This complex shows potential for preventing skin photo-ageing, dehydration, elastosis, and age spot formation.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleotide Excision Repair
DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Overview
Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Radical Autoxidation
The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...