The protective effect of laver extract against the UVA- and UVB-induced damage in HaCaT cells

Abstract

We investigated the protective effect of aqueous-methanol extract of laver (Porphyra yezoensis) against UV-induced damage in HaCaT cells. The laver extract exhibited strong UV absorbance at 300–360 nm. The cells irradiated with UVA or UVB in the presence of the extract exhibited higher viability than those irradiated without the extract. The protective effect was more prominent against UVA probably due to stronger absorption and screening of the UVA. The laver extract also exerted cell-protective effect in the postirradiation period. The extract increased steady-state glutathione content of HaCaT cells. The cells irradiated with UVA in the presence of the laver extract exhibited less severe depletion of glutathione than those irradiated without the extract. The extract also stimulated recovery from UVA-induced glutathione depletion in the post-irradiation period, which supports a critical role of oxidative stress in the UVA-induced cell damage and also a role of the laver extract in the antioxidative defense.