Coptis chinensis inflorescence and its main alkaloids protect against ultraviolet-B-induced oxidative damage

The protective properties of the Coptis chinensis inflorescence ethanolic extracts (CE) and its main alkaloid components against ultraviolet-B-induced oxidative damage were investigated. The content of berberine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, epiberberine, and palmatine of CE were determined by HPLC. Results showed that the mixture of five alkaloids contributed to the protective properties of CE in vitro and that berberine had better antioxidant effects than coptisine. Furthermore, the protective properties of CE were investigated in vivo. The skin tissues of UVB-irradiated animals exhibited a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and hydroxyproline. Additionally, these tissues exhibited a significant increase in the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). These changes were significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with CE and the standard treatment with gallic acid. Thus, CE and its main alkaloids possess potent protective properties against oxidative damage and may have valuable applications as a kind of tea in the functional food industry.