Caffeine and caffeine sodium benzoate have a sunscreen effect, enhance UVB-induced apoptosis, and inhibit UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice.

Abstract

Topical application of caffeine sodium benzoate (caffeine-SB) immediately after UVB irradiation of SKH-1 mice enhanced UVB-induced apoptosis by a 2- to 3-fold greater extent than occurred after the topical application of an equimolar amount of caffeine. Although topical application of caffeine-SB or caffeine enhanced UVB-induced apoptosis, both substances were inactive on non-UVB-treated normal skin. Topical application of caffeine-SB or caffeine (each has UVB absorption properties) 0.5 h before irradiation with a high dose of UVB decreased UVB-induced thymine dimer formation and sunburn lesions (sunscreen effect). Caffeine-SB was more active than an equimolar amount of caffeine in exerting a sunscreen effect. In additional studies, caffeine-SB strongly inhibited the formation of tumors in UVB-pretreated 'high-risk mice' and in tumor-bearing mice, and the growth of UVB-induced tumors was also inhibited. Caffeine-SB and caffeine are the first examples of compounds that have both a sunscreen effect and enhance UVB-induced apoptosis. Our studies suggest that caffeine-SB and caffeine may be good agents for inhibiting the formation of sunlight-induced skin cancer.

• Authors: Yao-Ping Lu, You-Rong Lou, Jian-Guo Xie, Qing-Yun Peng, Sherry Zhou, Yong Lin, Weichung Joe Shih, Allan H Conney
• Journal: Carcinogenesis (Carcinogenesis) Vol. 28 Issue 1 Pg. 199-206 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 0143-3334 [Print] England
• PMID: 16864596 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antimutagenic Agents
• Benzoates
• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Drug Combinations
• Pyrimidine Dimers
• Sunscreening Agents
• Caffeine
• caffeine, sodium benzoate drug combination

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Antimutagenic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Apoptosis (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Benzoates (therapeutic use)
• Caffeine (therapeutic use)
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (therapeutic use)
• Drug Combinations
• Female
• Mice
• Mice, Hairless
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Knockout
• Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced (drug therapy, pathology)
• Pyrimidine Dimers
• Skin (cytology, drug effects, radiation effects)
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Sunburn (etiology, pathology)
• Sunscreening Agents (therapeutic use)
• Ultraviolet Rays