Cytoprotective effect of fruit extracts associated with antioxidant activity against ultraviolet rays

Antioxidant activity in the extracts of Redfield apple flesh, Pione grape berry skin, and Ishiji satsuma mandarin skin was evaluated by a superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay and hemolysis of red blood cell assay. Although SOD activity was higher in both the Redfield apple flesh and Pione grape berry skin, hemolysis of the red blood cells was delayed most in the Redfield apple flesh, followed by the Pione grape berry skin and Ishiji satsuma mandarin skin. The protective effects of extracts from these fruits against ultraviolet rays were also examined using human skin dermal fibroblasts. The Redfield flesh extract increased the percentage of cell viability against ultraviolet rays compared to the untreated control. The participation of polyphenolics in Redfield apples is discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.