Resveratrol

Understanding that most people will never stay out of the sun or avoid the beach, scientists are always looking for new methods to reduce the risks of developing skin cancer, especially skin damage from regular exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially its UVB element. In a recent study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin, resveratrol was examined to find out if it had chemo-preventive properties that would be efficacious in protecting against UVB skin damage.

As greater exposure of UVB radiation increases skin cancer risk, the researchers studied the effect of a topical application of Resveratrol on multiple UVB exposure damaged skin of hairless mice, during seven consecutive days of UVB exposure.

The scientists studied resveratrol’s effect on survivin, which is involved in the control of cell division, and is a structurally unique member of the apoptosis inhibitors protein family. Survivin is overexpressed in most human cancers, but absent in normal adult tissues, and is thought to be a potential therapy target for new anti-cancer treatments. Findings of the experiment displayed that the resveratrol topical treatment significantly lowered UVB exposure and regulation of protein expression of survivin.

Dr. Nihal Ahmad, the lead researcher of the study said he was happy to see that resveratrol was able to “modulate multiple signaling in the cells, which actually protects the skin cells from damages that may lead to the development of cancer.” Dr Ahmad suggested that additional research should be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Resveratrol in skin care products and moderate dietary consumption.

Resveratrol significantly inhibited UVB-mediated increases in skin thickness and edema; epidermal cyclooxygenase (COX-2); ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme and protein levels; and protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), all of which are established markers of tumor promotion. Resveratrol also increased stimulation of a UVB-mediated augmentation in p53 protein levels and was shown to retard UVB exposure-mediated increases in cell cycle promoting signals including the activation of cell division.
The ramifications of using Resveratrol skin creams to prevent as well as inhibit skin cancer are exciting considering the global warming issues and ozone deterioration we are experiencing on our planet. There are a couple Resveratrol infused creams that may be worth considering after reading about this research.