RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prominent Anti-UV Activity and Possible Cosmetic Potential of Lignin-carbohydrate Complex JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 331 OP 339 VO 30 IS 4 A1 HIROSHI SAKAGAMI A1 HONG SHENG A1 NORIYUKI OKUDAIRA A1 TOSHIKAZU YASUI A1 HIDETSUGU WAKABAYASHI A1 JUNYE JIA A1 TAKENORI NATORI A1 MADOKA SUGURO-KITAJIMA A1 HIROSHI OIZUMI A1 TAKAAKI OIZUMI YR 2016 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/30/4/331.abstract AB This review article summarizes the recent progress of ultraviolet rays (UV) protective substances, including our original reports. We have established a simple assay method for the determination of anti-UV activity that can be applicable to any kind of adherent cells. This method provides information of both anti-UV activity and cytotoxicity of any kind of samples even though those samples contain unknown amounts of test compounds. We found that lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC) showed one- or two-order higher anti-UV activity compared to well-known lower molecular weight polyphenols and hot-water extracts of Kampo medicines and tea leaves. Among synthetic compounds, water-soluble azulenes showed the highest anti-UV activity. LCC showed additive or synergistic anti-UV activity with vitamin C. Alkaline extract of Sasa senanensis Rehder leaves (SE), an LCC-rich over-the-counter (OTC) drug, also showed potent antiviral and vitamin C-synergized radical scavenging activity. SE has been utilized to manufacture tooth paste, soap and gel cosmetic to increase the level of quality of life (QOL).