Plant compounds inhibit UV radiation-induced erythema in mice skin.

Phytochemicals are photoprotective compounds that prevent mutations involved in skin cancer and ageing. We studied protective activity of plant compounds against ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induced skin erythema in albino BALB/c mice. The protective effect was quantified using narrow-band reflectance spectroscopy both in the presence and the absence of plant compounds. Among the studied compounds, five (apigenin, caffeic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), kaempferol, and pinocembrin) inhibited UVB-induced skin erythema in mice; thus, they are promising for skin photoprotection. Erythema measurements of mice skin using narrow-band reflectance spectroscopy are valuable for the identification of photoprotective compounds.