UV photoprotection by combination topical antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E

doi:10.1067/mjd.2003.425

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Volume 48, Issue 6, June 2003, Pages 866-874

Presented in part as a poster at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology, Los Angeles, Calif, May 15-18, 2002.

https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2003.425 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background: Virtually all plants and animals protect themselves from the sun using vitamins C and E. Objective: The purpose of this study was to see if a combination of topical vitamins C and E is better for UV protection to skin than an equivalent concentration of topical vitamin C or E alone. Methods: We developed a stable aqueous solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and 1% α-tocopherol (vitamin E). We applied antioxidant or vehicle solutions to pig skin daily for 4 days. We irradiated (1-5× minimal erythema dose) control- and antioxidant-treated skin using a solar simulator with a 295-nm band-pass filter. On day 5, we measured antioxidant protection factor, erythema, sunburn cells, and thymine dimers. Results: The combination of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 1% α-tocopherol provided significant protection against erythema and sunburn cell formation; either L-ascorbic acid or 1% α-tocopherol alone also was protective but the combination was superior. Application during 4 days provided progressive protection that yielded an antioxidant protection factor of 4-fold. In addition, the combination of vitamins C and E provided protection against thymine dimer formation. Conclusion: Appreciable photoprotection can be obtained from the combination of topical vitamins C and E. We suggest that these natural products may protect against skin cancer and photoaging. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;48:866-74.)

Section snippets

Chemicals

Fifteen percent (15%) L-ascorbic acid (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and/or 1% dl-α-tocopherol (Roche, Nutley, NJ) was formulated in an aqueous vehicle containing 5% Brij 30 (Uniqema, New Castle, Del) and 15% ethanol. All solutions were adjusted to pH 3.2. For the purposes of these experiments, concentrations of ingredients and pH of the solution chosen for testing was formulated to provide maximum percutaneous absorption of L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol.

Experimental design

Experiments were performed in weanling

Results

In these experiments, concentrations of ingredients and pH of the solution chosen for testing was formulated to provide maximum percutaneous absorption of L-ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. We have previously reported that skin levels of L-ascorbic acid were maximal after 3 days of application of 15% L-ascorbic acid in aqueous solution at pH 3.2.⁸ Under these conditions, L-ascorbic acid levels increased in tape-stripped skin from 56 to 1145 pmol/mg skin. Levels of α-tocopherol in tape-stripped

Discussion

Antioxidants protect the skin against damage produced by UV irradiation.1, 9 L-ascorbic acid is the major fluid-phase antioxidant, glutathione protects the intracellular compartment, and vitamin E and ubiquinol protect membranes. On a molar basis, L-ascorbic acid is the predominant antioxidant in skin; its concentration is 15-fold greater than glutathione, 200-fold greater than vitamin E, and 1000-fold greater than ubiquinol/ubiquinone.² Concentrations of antioxidants are higher in epidermis

Conclusion

We demonstrate that protection against UV irradiation can be achieved with a solution containing a combination of vitamins C and E. Combination antioxidants may be particularly efficacious in that they may eliminate toxic free radicals by transfer of single hydrogen atoms rather than electrons.¹⁴ In this way, they may reduce damaging free radicals while minimizing the reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide and adding additional free radical stress. Antioxidants do not work individually in

Acknowledgements

Thanks and appreciation to Dr Doren Madey for her excellent ideas and support as well as for her dedicated help in preparing the manuscript.

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^☆: Supported in part by R43CA83538 and a Kenan Grant from North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Dr Lin was supported by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.

^☆☆: Disclosure: Dr Pinnell is a consultant for SkinCeuticals, Garland, Tex.

^★: Dr Omar is president of PhytoCeuticals, Elmwood Park, NJ.

^★★: Reprint requests: Sheldon R. Pinnell, MD, Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, PO Box 3135, Durham, NC 27710. E-mail: [email protected].

^♢: ^*Dr Lin is currently at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

^♢♢: ^**Dr Shea is currently at the University of Chicago.

^♦: 0190-9622/2003/$30.00 + 0

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ReportsUV photoprotection by combination topical antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E☆,☆☆,★,★★,♢,♢♢,♦

Abstract

Section snippets

Chemicals

Experimental design

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Free Radic Biol Med

J Invest Dermatol

Arch Biochem Biophys

Photochem Photobiol

J Invest Dermatol

Free Radic Biol Med

Med Hypotheses

FEBS Lett

J Biol Chem

J Invest Dermatol

J Biol Chem

FEBS Lett

Arch Biochem Biophys

J Dermatol Sci

Lancet

Biol Chem

J Invest Dermatol

J Invest Dermatol

J Invest Dermatol

J Invest Dermatol

J Invest Dermatol

J Invest Dermatol

J Am Acad Dermatol

Free Radic Biol Med

Partners in defense, vitamin E and vitamin C

Can J Physiol Pharmacol

Interactions between vitamins C and E in human subjects

Br J Nutr

Topical vitamin C protects porcine skin from ultraviolet radiation-induced damage

Br J Dermatol

Oxidative targets in the stratum corneum: a new basis for antioxidative strategies

Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol

Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies

Dermatol Surg

Recovery of antioxidants and reduction in lipid hydroperoxides in murine epidermis and dermis after acute ultraviolet radiation exposure

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed

Vitamin C

Reports
UV photoprotection by combination topical antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E☆,☆☆,★,★★,♢,♢♢,♦