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Towards symmetry driven and nature inspired UV filter design
Michael D Horbury1,2, Emily L Holt3,4, Louis M M Mouterde5
1Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. m.d.horbury@leeds.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|October 20, 2019
Summary
New sinapate esters offer improved UV protection. Synthesized esters with balanced isomers show promise as safe, nature-inspired sunscreen ingredients for UVA radiation, addressing genotoxicity concerns.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry
- Sunscreens
- Plant biochemistry
Background:
- Sinapate esters in plants provide UV protection.
- Current UV filters lack UVA protection, and cinnamate esters pose genotoxicity risks.
- Sinapate esters' photoisomerization contributes to photostability but can lead to genotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a sinapate ester with equivalent cis- and trans-isomers to mitigate genotoxicity.
- To investigate the photostability of this novel ester in a skin mimic environment.
- To assess the endocrine disruption activity and antioxidant potential of the synthesized ester.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a symmetrically functionalized sinapate ester.
- Ultrafast spectroscopy on a skin mimic to evaluate photostability.
- Assays for endocrine disruption and antioxidant activity.
Main Results:
- The synthesized sinapate ester demonstrated high photostability.
- Equivalent cis- and trans-isomers were achieved, potentially reducing genotoxicity.
- The ester showed no significant endocrine disruption and possessed antioxidant properties.
Conclusions:
- Symmetrically functionalized sinapate esters are promising candidates for next-generation UV filters.
- These nature-inspired compounds offer a safer alternative to current sunscreen ingredients.
- Further development could lead to effective and safe UVA photoprotection.
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