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Page 6 of 16 Mataix et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:69 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.138
[5]
a relevant role in the progression of both acute and cumulative skin damage . Finally, melanization is a
specific structural adaptation of the skin to protect from ionizing radiations [5,57] . As part of skin tissue repair
programs, all these architectural remodeling activities are tightly engrained with tissue damage responses
and the inflammatory signaling exposed above [5,15,57,65-67] .

®
THE POTENTIAL OF DESCHAMPSIA ANTARCTICA SOLUBLE EXTRACT (EDAFENCE ) TO
COUNTERACT THE IMPACT OF THE SKIN EXPOSOME
As previously indicated, modern lifestyle has increased the intensity and variety of damaging
environmental agents on our health, including skin. Moreover, an exponential effect may result from the
combination of these different agents, as is the case for pollutant-mediated sensitization to UV radiation.
[68]
As such, identifying solutions to reduce the effects of this sustained aggression is warranted . A rich
source of substances and compounds is found in the natural world, because organisms have confronted
environmental damaging agents such as ionizing radiations and toxins from the beginning of time, and the
molecular damage mechanisms also apply to byproducts of endogenous metabolism. Thus, compounds
with antioxidant and protective activities, also capable of boosting endogenous defense mechanisms, are
found in nature and have been explored for their therapeutic potential since ancient times [69-74] .

Deschampsia antarctica is a tracheophyte hair grass species, a polyextremophile Gramineae native to
Antarctica, capable of thriving under extreme conditions of solar irradiation, temperature, dryness,
salinity, and oxidative stress due to unique, evolutionary molecular mechanisms providing highly
efficient protection against environmental aggression [Figure 2]. One of only two flowering plants in the
Antarctic , it partly owes its resilience to secondary metabolic routes which provide photoquenching
[75]
compounds, “refolding” regulators, and dehydrins, as well as phenolic substances with strong antioxidant
[76]
potential, including flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin . A standardized procedure for mild aqueous
[77]
extraction of soluble fractions from Deschampsia antarctica has been established , avoiding the use
of organic solvents, whose associated contamination and residue carryout problems can be difficult to
circumvent [Figure 2].

Briefly, dry green leaves obtained from the plant are introduced in a percolator through which water - or
an aqueous solvent - is circulated under controlled temperature and time conditions. The obtained aqueous
extract is then stabilized and vacuum dried. The resulting powder, Edafence®, presents activities against
[77]
external aggressive factors . Experimental and clinical evidence supports the potential of soluble extracts
of this plant (Edafence®; see Figure 2) to counteract different detrimental effects of urban environment [78,79] .

®
Experimental evidence showing Edafence counteracting the effects of cutaneous environmental
factors
Damage from air pollutants
This aqueous extract of Deschampsia antarctica counteracts damage induced by different xenotoxins and
damaging agents. As a powerful oxidant commonly used as an experimental proxy of both endogenous
ROS production and exogenous oxidative stress, exposure to H O induces in dermal fibroblasts senescence
2
2
and DNA damage and reduces cell viability. Addition of Edafence® was shown to powerfully counteract
these effects, as assessed by the reduction of molecular stress hallmarks [sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and thioredoxin
[80]
2 (Trx2) expression upregulation and blunting of PCNA downregulation] . Interestingly, this extract’s
protection against reduced cell viability was achieved under experimental conditions whereby the extract
was added in advance to exposure to the stressor, suggesting that, in addition to intrinsic antioxidant
properties, Edafence® is effectively capable of priming protective cell states, for example through inducing
[78]
endogenous antioxidant responses . This extract also exhibits efficient protection from dioxin toxicity, as
modeled by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; blunts AhR expression; and rescues loricrin expression