Abstract
Background: Excessive human exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) continues to be a major public health concern, with skin cancer rates increasing year on year. The major protective measure is the use of synthetic UVR filters formulated into sunscreens, but there is a growing concern that some of these chemicals cause damage to delicate marine ecosystems. One alternative is the use of biocompatible mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA), which occur naturally in a wide range of marine species. Their role within nature is mainly thought to be photoprotective. However, their potential for human photoprotection is largely understudied.
Objective: To review the role of MAA in nature and assess their potential as natural sunscreens for human skin photoprotection.
Method: A literature review of all relevant papers was conducted.
Conclusion: MAA are natural photostable compounds that are thought to offer photoprotection to marine species. Initially thought of as protective based on their absorption properties in the solar UVR spectrum, it is clear that MAA are multifunctional photoprotective compounds acting as chemical and biological anti-oxidants. This suggests that MAA may offer a novel eco-friendly approach to human skin photoprotection. Most studies have been carried out in vitro and current data strongly suggest that MAA have potential for development as natural biocompatible sunscreens that protect against a diverse range of solar UVR induced adverse effects on human health.
Keywords: Photoprotection, mycosporine-like amino acids, skin, natural products, mechanisms, solar radiation.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids for Skin Photoprotection
Volume: 25 Issue: 40
Author(s): Karl P. Lawrence, Paul F. Long and Antony R. Young*
Affiliation:
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London,United Kingdom
Keywords: Photoprotection, mycosporine-like amino acids, skin, natural products, mechanisms, solar radiation.
Abstract: Background: Excessive human exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) continues to be a major public health concern, with skin cancer rates increasing year on year. The major protective measure is the use of synthetic UVR filters formulated into sunscreens, but there is a growing concern that some of these chemicals cause damage to delicate marine ecosystems. One alternative is the use of biocompatible mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA), which occur naturally in a wide range of marine species. Their role within nature is mainly thought to be photoprotective. However, their potential for human photoprotection is largely understudied.
Objective: To review the role of MAA in nature and assess their potential as natural sunscreens for human skin photoprotection.
Method: A literature review of all relevant papers was conducted.
Conclusion: MAA are natural photostable compounds that are thought to offer photoprotection to marine species. Initially thought of as protective based on their absorption properties in the solar UVR spectrum, it is clear that MAA are multifunctional photoprotective compounds acting as chemical and biological anti-oxidants. This suggests that MAA may offer a novel eco-friendly approach to human skin photoprotection. Most studies have been carried out in vitro and current data strongly suggest that MAA have potential for development as natural biocompatible sunscreens that protect against a diverse range of solar UVR induced adverse effects on human health.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Lawrence P. Karl , Long F. Paul and Young R. Antony*, Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids for Skin Photoprotection, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 25 (40) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170529124237
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170529124237 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
The Implication of Platelet Activating Factor in Cancer Growth and Metastasis: Potent Beneficial Role of PAF-Inhibitors and Antioxidants
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets The Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, Structure-Activity Relationships and Molecular Modelling Studies of Novel Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione Compounds Containing Different Functional Groups
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Design of multifunctional nanocarriers for delivery of anti-cancer therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design 4-Oxa-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one Derivatives as Anti-Tumor Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents The Ambidextrous Cyclooxygenase: An Enduring Target
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) The Therapeutic Target Hsp90 and Cancer Hallmarks
Current Pharmaceutical Design <i>In Silico</i> Molecular Interaction Studies of Chitosan Polymer with Aromatase Inhibitor: Leads to Letrozole Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Nucleic Acids Electrotransfer In Vivo: Mechanisms and Practical Aspects
Current Gene Therapy Virtual Screening and Statistical Analysis in the Design of New Caffeine Analogues Molecules with Potential Epithelial Anticancer Activity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Standards and Novel Therapeutic Options in the Treatment of Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Recent Developments in the Chemical Biology of Epothilones
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Progress in Polynuclear Ruthenium Complex-Based DNA Binders/Structural Probes and Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances In Developing Novel Anti-Cancer Drugs Targeting Tumor Hypoxic and Acidic Microenvironments
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery T Lymphocytes as Targets of Gene Transfer with Moloney-Type Retroviral Vectors
Current Gene Therapy HtrA Serine Proteases as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Extracellular Vesicles in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Hematological Targets of Radiation Damage
Current Drug Targets Nanocarriers for Photodynamic Therapy Intended to Cutaneous Tumors
Current Drug Targets BCR-ABL Transcript Level as Compared to LDH and Uric Acid Among Chronic Myeloid Leukemic Patients
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery From the Sea to Anticancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry