Abstract
Our daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipids, proteins and DNA damage and alteration in fibroblast structure, thus contributing to skin photoaging. For this reason, the use of natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity could be a strategic tool to overcome ultraviolet A (UV-A) induced deleterious effect. Neferine is an alkaloid extract from the seed embryos of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn). In the present study, we report the protective effect of neferine against UV-A induced oxidative stress and photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). HDFs subjected to UV-A irradiation showed increased production of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, it depleted the cellular enzymatic antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx). On the other hand, HDFs treated with neferine followed by UV-A irradiation reversed the process, reduced the ROS and lipid peroxidation and restored the antioxidants pool. Moreover, neferine treatment significantly inhibited UV-A induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in HDFs. Remarkable morphological and ultrastructural alterations observed in HDFs upon UV-A irradiation, were also reduced with neferine treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that neferine has strong antioxidative and photoprotective properties and thus may be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of UV-A mediated skin photoaging.
Highlights
Chronic UV exposure is the primary cause of premature skin aging called photoaging [1]
Since oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases, we explored the possibility of high reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression upon ultraviolet A (UV-A) exposure being associated with degeneration and degradation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus (GA)
The protective nature of neferine was analyzed by incubating human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) with various concentrations of neferine (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.6, 6.4, and 12.8 μM) for 24 h
Summary
Chronic UV exposure is the primary cause of premature skin aging called photoaging [1]. ROS is damaging biological macromolecules (DNA, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins), and capable of depleting antioxidants such as SOD and GPx [4,5]. The increasing ROS activity degrades the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the cell membrane causing membrane lipid peroxidation [6]. Lipid peroxidation is a crucial pathophysiological event in many diseases such as aging, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis [7]. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is the enzyme biomarker and the end product of lipid peroxidation. This compound is a reactive aldehyde and is a marker to measure the oxidative stress in an organism [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
