Glycation is a non enzymatic chemical process in which sugar molecule chemically bonds with human DNA, lipids and proteins damaging them and ultimately leading to the formation of highly reactive advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Glycation has been implicated in many age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, deafness etc. In skin, glycation reactions are responsible for weakening collagen fiber’s regenerative ability, which leads to the characteristics that we commonly associate with visible skin aging: wrinkling, sagging and looseness.
An anti-glycation agent such as THC can prevent the formation of AGEs (e.g. free radicals, α-dicarbonyl species, protein cross-links etc.).
The THC administered in rats with streptozotocin-and nicotinamide-induced diabetes led to reduction in advanced glycation and cross linking of collagen. The anti-glycation activity of THC was suggested to be due to its antiperoxidative activity (Pari and Murugan, 2007a).
Effect of THCs on hydroxyproline, total collagen, and extent of glycation as well as levels of fluorescence measured in tail tendon in normal and experimental rats. (Adapted from Pari and Murugan, 2007a)
| Groups | Hydroxproline (mg/100 mg tissue) |
Total collagen (mg/100 mg tissue) |
Extent of glycation (µg of glucose/mg collagen) |
Extent of glycation (µg of glucose/mg collagen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 8.97 ± 0.61 | 65.53 ± 4.46 | 11.09 ± 0.76 | 28.23 ± 1.92 |
| Diabetic control | 15.98 ± 0.94 | 121.02 ± 7.14 | 23.19 ± 1.37 | 55.47 ± 3.27 |
| Diabetic + THC’s (80 mg/kg) |
9.76 ± 0.71 | 73.46 ± 5.36 | 12.88 ± 0.94 | 32.20 ± 2.35 |
| Diabetic + curcumin (80 mg/kg) |
10.52 ± 0.59 | 81.16 ± 4.51 | 14.90 ± 1.03 | 39.08 ± 2.22 |
Values are given as mean ± SD from six rats in each group; AU – Arbitrary Units; THC’s – Tetrahydrocurcuminoids