Protective Effects of Rapeseed Flower on Ultraviolet B-induced Skin Photoaging in Rats

Abstract

Background and Aim: Photoaging is a chronic ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage, attracting in skin appearance, which is so important in the field of cosmetic dermatology. Recently, antioxidants involved in Rapeseed flower and its products have been considered one of the readily accessible sources and might have beneficial implications on the photoaging. This study was designed to investigate protective effects of Rapeseed flower extract on UVBinduced skin photoaging in vivo. Methods: The plant flower was extracted with aqueous ethanol (90%). Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals each. Each group was administrated the extract in different doses and irradiated UVB radiation for 4 weeks. The degree of protection was quantified through the skin antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT), as well as the contents of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (HP). Results: Rapeseed flower extract inhibited the UVB-induced photoaging on rat skin by increasing SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, GSH, HP and decreasing MDA levels significantly compared to control group. Conclusion: Collectively, these data indicated that Rapeseed flower extract could be used as a safe and natural antioxidant for the protection of UVB-induced skin photoaging in vivo.