Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Diosmetin-3-O-β-d-Glucuronide, the Main Metabolite of Diosmin: Evidence from Ex Vivo Human Skin Models

Abstract

Diosmin is used to relieve chronic venous disease (CVD) symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide, the major metabolite of diosmin, using human skin explants. The explants were exposed to substance P (inflammation model) or UVB irradiation (oxidative model) and to five diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide concentrations. Inflammation was evaluated through interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion measurements and capillary dilation observation, and oxidation was evaluated by measuring the hydrogen peroxide levels and observing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). In substance-P-exposed explants, diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced a significant decrease in IL-8 secretions, with a maximal effect at 2700 pg/mL (−49.6%), and it reduced the proportion of dilated capillaries and the mean luminal cross-sectional area (p < 0.0001 at all tested concentrations), indicating a vasoconstrictive effect. In UVB-irradiated fragments, diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced a significant decrease in hydrogen peroxide production and in the number of CPD-positive cells, reaching a maximal effect at the concentration of 2700 pg/mL (−48.6% and −52.0%, respectively). Diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide induced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, with the maximal effect being reached at 2700 pg/mL and corresponding to the peak plasma concentration estimated after the oral intake of 600 mg of diosmin, the daily dose usually recommended for the treatment of CVD. These ex vivo findings suggest a protective role of diosmetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide against inflammatory and oxidative stress affecting the vascular system in CVD pathophysiology.