Effect of Cigarette Smoke on Diabetic Skin and Protection with Topical Administration of Pinus halepensis Extract

Abstract

Compared to normal, diabetic skin is characterized by great sensitivity. Oxidative stress is directly involved, contributing to accelerated skin aging, xerodermia and poor wound healing. In the last 10 years, cigarette smoke (CS) exposure has been associated with several skin and dermatological conditions and is directly related to the oxidative stress affecting the skin. However, limited data exist concerning the effect of CS on diabetic skin. Some of the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on the skin of hairless diabetic mice were hereby studied and the potential skin protection by topical applications of Pinus halepensis bark extract was investigated. Female hairless SKH-2 diabetic mice were exposed for 8 days to tobacco smoke and topical applications were performed twice daily. Biophysical parameters such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin elasticity and erythema were measured. In addition, the oxidative stress was evaluated. The results show that diabetes and CS have a synergistic negative action on skin condition, with the development of xerosis and high ROS levels whilst topical applications of Pinus halepensis bark extract protect efficiently the toxic effect of CS on skin, by decreasing skin dryness, oxidative stress and blood glucose levels.

Protective Effects of Pinus halepensis Bark Extract and Nicotine on Cigarette Smoke-induced Oxidative Stress in Keratinocytes

“…Herein, our observations indicated that Pinus halepensis bark extract was able to protect primary mice keratinocytes from the effects of CS on both viability and oxidative stress, compared to other antioxidants or to the control (non treated) group. These results are in accordance with previous in vivo studies, which demonstrated that topical administration of Pinus halepensis protected the skin of hairless mice from the damage induced by CS and UV radiation (27,37). It is noteworthy that the antioxidant mixture of ascorbic acid (250 μΜ) with rutin (50 μΜ), which was used as reference, did not show any protection on keratinocytes (Figure 4), although the same concentrations as those described in literature were used (38)(39)(40).…”

“…Particular efforts have been made to address the negative effects of CS either on reducing or even eliminating the oxidative stress. In this context, Pinus halepensis bark extract has been used, which showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties upon tobacco smoke, UV or X-rays irradiation of mouse skin, in vivo (27)(28)(29)37). Herein, our observations indicated that Pinus halepensis bark extract was able to protect primary mice keratinocytes from the effects of CS on both viability and oxidative stress, compared to other antioxidants or to the control (non treated) group.…”

Benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier

“…In murine model, topical applications of an aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis leaves at a concentration of 5 mg/mL every other day induce a significant reduction in TEWL on day 12 ( p < 0.05), with a further reduction on day 28 ( p < 0.0001) ( Sipos et al, 2021 ). Likewise, topical applications of pinus halepensis bark extract twice daily for 3 days markedly lower TEWL ( p < 0.05) ( Zoumpliou et al, 2014 ). Similarly, topical applications of 0.2% or 0.5% of N-palmitoyl serinol (NPS), a commensal bacterial metabolite, twice-daily for 1 week lower basal TEWL and accelerate barrier recovery by 20% ( Wen et al, 2021 ).…”

Management of Acute Radiodermatitis in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Patients Using Electrospun Nanofibrous Patches Loaded with Pinus halepensis Bark Extract

“…Species of the genus Pinus are well known for their medicinal properties, which are related to their chemical composition. Their cones, needles, and bark extracts, as well as their essential oils, have been utilized for many pharmaceutical applications, demonstrating cytotoxic, analgesic, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and/or anti-inflammatory activities [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. In the Mediterranean region, Pinus halepensis Miller (Aleppo pine) represents one of the most common naturally growing conifer species.…”