Effects of Vitis vinifera L. leaves extract on UV radiation damage in human keratinocytes (HaCaT)

Vitis vinifera L. water extract from red grapevine leaves contains high levels of polyphenols in quantities similar to those found in red grape and grape seeds. Phenolic compounds are the largest group of natural antioxidants with also an anti-inflammatory activity, widely demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, their antioxidant effect relies not only on the direct radical scavenging activity but also on their ability in modulating cellular signalling transduction pathways. UV radiation exerts multiple effects on skin cells inducing apoptosis, senescence and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and the DNA protective potentials of Vitis vinifera L. water extract against UV-A and UV-B radiation in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocytes cell line. Comet and ɣH2AX assays were used to assess DNA damage in UV irradiated cells pre-treated or not with the extract (100 μg/mL). For UV-B, DNA damage resulted significantly increased at 40 mJ/cm² dose determining cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. For UV-A, DNA damage was significant at 10 J/cm² while cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were evident only at 25 J/cm². The extract (1h of pre-treatment) highlights the antioxidant and scavenger activity on the UV-A, while the maintenance of the apoptosis with both UV-A and UV-B must be interpreted as an anti-mutagenic effect.