Antioxidant capacity of hydroethanolic extracts from Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme to counteract UVB radiation effects on skin

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.17-2-1

Keywords:

Thalassia, Syringodium, UVB radiation, antioxidant activity, SOD

Abstract

The prevalence of skin diseases related to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun has increased alarmingly. Direct exposure to UV rays significantly reduces the levels of endogenous antioxidants in the skin. The accelerated increase of free radicals triggers the activation of inflammatory processes that damage collagen and elastin fibers, leading to faster photoaging and the long-term development of melanoma-like lesions. However, searching for new natural components and extracts that can restore endogenous antioxidant levels through topical applications offers a promising avenue for effective treatments. This study aims to evaluate the ability of extracts obtained from the marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum Banks & Sol. ex Koenig and Syringodium filiforme Kützing in Hohenacker to modify oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD) in an in vivo model of UVB light-induced skin photodamage. The leaves of both plants were collected in Rincón de Guanabo, Cuba, in November 2022. Both hydroethanolic extracts have a high content of phenolic compounds (18 ± 1.5 and 25.78 ± 0.07 PyE%) and other natural antioxidants that inhibit lipid peroxidation with IC-50 below 0.008 mg/mL. Results also demonstrate the antioxidant capacity of both extracts in restoring oxidative stress indicators, including MDA, GSH, and SOD values, closer to those found in healthy, non-irradiated skin. The extract of T. testudinum has a greater capacity to increase intracellular SOD enzyme levels. The present research suggests that topical treatment may contribute to maintaining antioxidant levels in the skin, thereby reducing the harmful effects of oxidative imbalance and offering a promising prospect for effective therapies.

Author Biographies

  • Adrián Fagundo-Mollineda, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional

    Department of Marine Resources, CINVESTAV Unidad Mérida, Yucatán CP 97310, Mexico. 

  • Ruth Ana Morales-Aguilera, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • Roberto Menéndez-Soto del Valle, Centro Cubano de Neurociencia

    Cuban Neuroscience Center, Calle 190, No 19818, Ave 25 y Ave 27, Playa, La Habana, Cuba

  • Kethia González-García, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • Teidy García-Jiménez, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • Olga Valdés-Iglesia, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • Yasnay Hernández-Rivera, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • Patricia Lorenzo-Luaces, CIM: Centro de Inmunología Molecular

    Center for Molecular Immunology.  216 & 15, Atabey, Playa, Cuba. 

  • Miguel David Fernández-Perez, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba. 

  • María Rodríguez-García, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar de Cuba

    Institute of Marine Sciences (ICIMAR), Department of Pharmacology. Loma y 37, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Cuba.

References

Autier, P. & Doré, J. F. (2020). Ultraviolet radiation and cutaneous melanoma: a historical perspective. Melanoma Res., 30(2), 113-125. https://doi.org/10.1097/CMR.0000000000000609

Averill-Bates, D. A. (2023). The antioxidant glutathione. In G. Litwack (Ed.), Vitamins and hormones (pp. 109-141). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.vh.2022.09.002

Ayala, A., Muñoz, M. F. & Argüelles, S. (2014). Lipid peroxidation: production, metabolism, and signaling mechanisms of malondialdehyde and 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal. Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev., 2014(1), 360438. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/360438

Batista‐Gonzalez, A. E., Silva, A., Vidal‐Novoa, A., Pinto, J. R., Mancini, D. A. P. & Mancini‐Filho, J. (2012). Analysis of in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of hydrophilic fractions from the seaweed Halimeda monile L. J. Food Biochem., 36(2), 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4514.2010.00525.x

Cheung, L. M. & Cheung, P. C. (2005). Mushroom extracts have antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation. Food Chem., 89(3), 403-409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.02.049

Cini, M., Fariello, R. G., Bianchetti, A. & Moretti, A. (1994). Studies on lipid peroxidation in the rat brain. Neurochem. Res., 19, 283-288. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00971576

Fagundo-Mollineda, A., García, M. R., García, K. L. G., Iglesias, O. V., Rivera, Y. H., Alfonso, Á. R. C. & Martínez, O. V. (2016). Actividad fotoprotectora y fotorreparadora de los extractos de las angiospermas marinas, Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König (Hyrocharitacea) y Syringodium filiforme Kützing (Cymodoceaceae). Rev. Cienc. Mar. Cos., 8(1), 51-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.15359/revmar.8-1.4

Fagundo-Mollineda, A., Robledo, D., Vásquez-Elizondo, R. M. & Freile-Pelegrín, Y. (2023). Antioxidant activities in holopelagic Sargassum species from the Mexican Caribbean: Temporal changes and intra-thallus variation. Algal Res., 76, 103289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2023.103289

Fallarero, A., Peltoketo, A., Loikkanen, J., Tammela, P., Vidal, A. & Vuorela, P. (2006). Effects of the aqueous extract of Bryothamnion triquetrum on chemical hypoxia and glycemia-induced damage in GT1-7 mouse hypothalamic immortalized cells. Phytomedicine, 13(4), 240-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2003.10.009

Folin, O. & Ciocalteu, V. (1927). On tyrosine and tryptophane determinations in proteins. J. Biol. Chem, 73(2), 627-650. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)84277-6

González, K. L., Rodríguez, M., Concepción, Á., Valdés, O., Marrero, J. G., Macías-Alonso, M., I., … & Gutiérrez, R. (2017). Phytochemical profile and evaluation of photoprotective potential of Syringodium filiforme kützing. Rev. Cien. Biol. Salud, 19(3), 18-22.

González, K. L., Valdés O., Laguna, A., Díaz M. & González, J. A. (2011). Efecto antioxidante y contenido polifenólico de Syringodium filiforme (Cymodoceaceae). Rev. Biol. Trop., 59 (1), 465-472.

Gupta, A., Singh, R. L. & Raghubir, R. (2002). Antioxidant status during cutaneous wound healing in immunocompromised rats. Mol. Cell. Biochem., 241, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020804916733

Halliwell, B. (2008). Are polyphenols antioxidants or pro-oxidants? What do we learn from cell culture and in vivo studies?. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 476(2), 107-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2008.01.028

Hawas, U. W. & Abou El-Kassem, L. T. (2017). Thalassiolin D: a new flavone O-glucoside Sulphate from the seagrass Thalassia hemprichii. Nat. Prod. Res., 31(20), 2369-2374. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1308367

Hernández-Balmaseda, I., Guerra, I. R., Declerck, K., Herrera Isidrón, J. A., Pérez-Novo, C., Van Camp, G., ... & Vanden Berghe, W. (2021). Marine seagrass extract of Thalassia testudinum suppresses colorectal tumor growth, motility and angiogenesis by autophagic stress and immunogenic cell death pathways. Mar. Drugs, 19(2), 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19020052

Hoang, H. T., Moon, J. Y. & Lee, Y. C. (2021). Natural antioxidants from plant extracts in skincare cosmetics: Recent applications, challenges and perspectives. Cosmetics, 8(4), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8040106

Husein el Hadmed, H. & Castillo, R. F. (2016). Cosmeceuticals: peptides, proteins, and growth factors. J. Cosmet. Dermatol., 15(4), 514-519. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12229

IBM Corp. (2020). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. EE. UU.: IBM Corp.

Jafriati, J., Jumadi, O., Hatta, M., Natzir, R., Budu, B., Eddyman, W. F. & Sabir, M. (2019). Analysis of phythology components and potentials of antioxidant activities of Thalassia hemprichii extract. Int. Medical J., 24(3), 145-152.

Jesus, A., Mota, S., Torres, A., Cruz, M. T., Sousa, E., Almeida, I. F. & Cidade, H. (2023). Antioxidants in sunscreens: which and what for?. Antioxidants, 12(1), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010138

Kevrekidou, A., Assimopoulou, A. N., Trachana, V., Stagos, D. & Malea, P. (2024). Antioxidant activity, inhibition of intestinal cancer cell growth and polyphenolic compounds of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica’s extracts from living plants and beach casts. Mar. Drugs, 22(3), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/md22030130

Lephart, E. D. (2016). Skin aging and oxidative stress: Equol’s anti-aging effects via biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Ageing Res. Rev., 31, 36-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2016.08.001

Lim, H. W., Kohli, I., Ruvolo, E., Kolbe, L. & Hamzavi, I. H. (2022). Impact of visible light on skin health: The role of antioxidants and free radical quenchers in skin protection. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol., 86(3), 27-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.024

Lim, S. N., Cheung, P. C. K., Ooi, V. E. C. & Ang, P. O. (2002). Evaluation of antioxidative activity of extracts from a brown seaweed, Sargassum siliquastrum. J. Agric. Food Chem., 50(13), 3862-3866. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020096b

Lucas, R. M., Yazar, S., Young, A. R., Norval, M., De Gruijl, F. R., Takizawa, Y. & Neale, R. E. (2019). Human health in relation to exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation under changing stratospheric ozone and climate. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 18(3), 641- 680. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PP90060D

Marklund, S. & Marklund, G. (1974). Involvement of the superoxide anion radical in the autoxidation of pyrogallol and a convenient assay for superoxide dismutase. Eur. J. Biochem., 47(3), 469-474. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1432-1033.1974.tb03714.x

Martínez-Daranas, B. & Suárez, A. M. (2018). An overview of Cuban seagrasses. Bull. Mar. Sci., 94(2), 269-282. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1014

Mas-Bargues, C., Escriva, C., Dromant, M., Borras, C. & Vina, J. (2021). Lipid peroxidation as measured by chromatographic determination of malondialdehyde. Human plasma reference values in health and disease. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 709, 108941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2021.108941

McKenzie, R. L., Björn, L. O., Bais, A. & Ilyasd, M. (2003). Changes in biologically active ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.1039/B211155C

Mitchell, C. L. (2016). Oxidative stress and the skin. In D. Armstrong & R. D. Stratton (Eds.), Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Protection. (pp. 168-182). U.S.A.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118832431.ch11

Munteanu, I. G. & Apetrei, C. (2021). Analytical methods used in determining antioxidant activity: A review. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22(7), 3380. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073380

Newman, P. A., Nash, E. R., Kawa, S. R., Montzka, S. A. & Schauffler, S. M. (2006). When will the Antarctic ozone hole recover?. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33(12). https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025232

Ohkawa, H., Ohishi, N. & Yagi, K. (1979). Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal. Biochem., 95(2), 351-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(79)90738-3

Owen, J. B. & Butterfield, D. A. (2010). Measurement of Oxidized/Reduced Glutathione Ratio. In P. Bross & N. Gregersen (Eds.), Protein Misfolding and Cellular Stress in Disease and Aging: Methods in Molecular Biology (pp. 269-277). U.S.A. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-756-3_18

Parker, E. R. (2021). The influence of climate change on skin cancer incidence–a review of the evidence. Int. J. Womens Dermatol., 7(1), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.07.003

Perry, M. J., Curic, M., Scott, A. L., Ritmejerytė, E., Rahayu, D. U., Keller, P. A., ... & Wangchuk, P. (2024). The In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Selected Australian Seagrasses. Life, 14(6), 710. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14060710

Phandee, S. & Buapet, P. (2018). Photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of the tropical intertidal seagrasses Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii to moderate and high irradiances. Bot. Mar., 61(3), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2017-0084

Regalado, E. L., Menendez, R., Valdés, O., Morales, R. A., Laguna, A., Thomas, O. P. & Kijjoa, A. (2012). Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of BM-21, a bioactive extract rich in polyphenolic metabolites from the seagrass Thalassia testudinum. Nat. Prod. Commun., 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1200700117

Regalado, E. L., Rodríguez, M., Menéndez, R., Concepción, Á. A., Nogueiras, C., Laguna, A. & Hernandez, Y. (2009). Repair of UVB-damaged skin by the antioxidant sulphated flavone glycoside thalassiolin B isolated from the marine plant Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König. Mar. Biotechnol., 11, 74-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-008-9123-8

Rivero, F., Fallarero, A., Castañeda, O., Dajas, F., Manta, E., Areces, F. & Vidal, A. (2003). Antioxidant activity in vivo and in vitro of Halimeda incrassata aqueous extracts. Food Sci. Technol., 23, 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-20612003000200026

Sen, C. K. (2003). The general case for redox control of wound repair. Wound Repair Regen, 11(6), 43-438. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-475X.2003.11607.x

Sen, C. K. (2009). Wound healing essentials: let there be oxygen. Wound Repair Regen, 17(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-475X.2008.00436.x

Svobodová, A., Psotová, J. & Walterová, D. (2003). Natural phenolics in the prevention of UV-induced skin damage. A review. Biomed. Papers., 147(2), 137-145. https://doi.org/10.5507/bp.2003.019

Wuthirak, T., Kongnual, R. & Buapet, P. (2016). Desiccation tolerance and underlying mechanisms for the recovery of the photosynthetic efficiency in the tropical intertidal seagrasses Halophila ovalis and Thalassia hemprichii. Bot. Mar., 59(5), 387-396. https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2016-0052

Zidorn, C. (2016). Secondary metabolites of seagrasses (Alismatales and Potamogetonales; Alismatidae): Chemical diversity, bioactivity, and ecological function. Phytochemistry, 124, 5-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.02.004

Zubia, M., Robledo, D. & Freile-Pelegrin, Y. (2007). Antioxidant activities in tropical marine macroalgae from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. J. Appl. Phycol., 19, 449-458. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-006-9152-5

Downloads

Published

2025-07-24

Issue

Vol. 17, No. 2 (2025): (July–December)

Section

Scientific articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

General terms and conditions

Creative Commons License

Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras by Universidad Nacional is located under a Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Costa Rica.

The journal is hosted in open-access repositories such as the Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Nacional, the Repositorio Kimuk de Costa Rica and la Referencia.

The editorial source of the journal must be acknowledged. For this purpose, use the doi identifier of the publication.

Self-archiving policy: The journal allows the self-archiving of articles in their refereed version, edited and approved by the Editorial Board of the Journal so that they are available in Open Access through the Internet. More information at the following link: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/28915

How to Cite

Fagundo-Mollineda, A., Morales-Aguilera, R. A., Menéndez-Soto del Valle, R., González-García, K., García-Jiménez, T., Valdés-Iglesia, O., Hernández-Rivera, Y., Lorenzo-Luaces, P., Fernández-Perez, M. D., & Rodríguez-García, M. (2025). Antioxidant capacity of hydroethanolic extracts from Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme to counteract UVB radiation effects on skin. Revista Ciencias Marinas Y Costeras, 17(2), 19-37. https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.17-2-1