Photoprotective effects of Sargassum thunbergii on ultraviolet B-induced mouse L929 fibroblasts and zebrafish

Abstract

Background Chronic exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) causes a series of adverse skin reactions, such as erythema, sunburn, photoaging, and cancer, by altering signaling pathways related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. Marine algae have abundant amounts and varieties of bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the photoprotective effects of an ethanol extract of Sargassum thunbergii. Methods Sargassum thunbergii phenolic-rich extract (STPE) was prepared, and its activity against UVB damage was evaluated using L929 fibroblast cells and zebrafish. STPE was extracted and purified by 40% ethanol and macroporous resin XDA-7. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were analyzed. The effect of STPE on UVB-induced inflammation was determined by inflammatory cytokine gene and protein expression. The expression of signaling molecules in the Nuclear Factor KappaB (NF-κB) pathway was determined by western blotting. DNA condensation was analyzed and visualized by Hoechst 33342 staining. In vivo evaluation was performed by tail fin area and ROS measurement using the zebrafish model. Results The total polyphenol content of STPE was 72%. STPE reduced ROS content in L929 cells, improved SOD and CAT activities, and significantly reduced MDA content, thereby effectively alleviating UVB radiation-induced oxidative damage. STPE inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1α. STPE reversed DNA condensation at concentrations of 20 and 40 μg/mL compared with the UVB control. Moreover, STPE inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway activation and alleviated DNA agglutination in L929 cells after UVB irradiation. Additionally, 1.67 μg/mL STPE significantly increased the tail fin area in zebrafish, and 0.8–1.6 μg/mL STPE effectively eliminated excessive ROS after UVB radiation. Conclusions STPE inhibited UVB-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine expression, and DNA condensation via the downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, suggesting that it prevents UVB-induced photodamage, and has potential for clinical development for skin disease treatment.

Protective Effect of Orbitides from Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) against Ultraviolet B‐induced Photoaging in Zebrafish

“…T‐SOD and CAT are important components of the antioxidant system in the body (51). Compared with the control group, the activities of T‐SOD and CAT enzymes in zebrafish were significantly decreased after UVB treatment.…”

“…Therefore, neutrophils migrated to zebrafish fins may be one of important causes in zebrafish photoaging. of linseed orbitides on antioxidant enzyme activity in UVB-treated zebrafish T-SOD and CAT are important components of the antioxidant system in the body (51). Compared with the control group, the activities of T-SOD and CAT enzymes in zebrafish were significantly decreased after UVB treatment.…”

Light exposure and its applications in human health

“…Therefore, studying the impact of light on skin cells is crucial for the development of skin health care and the treatment of skin diseases. Fibroblasts are the most common connective tissue cells in the body and are frequently used in light studies [78,79]. Studies have revealed that light has a notable effect on the proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts and can regulate the extracellular matrix produced by them.…”

Applications of Antioxidant Secondary Metabolites of Sargassum spp.

“…S. horneri extract contained 7.45 ± 0.29% of total phenolics and 0.29 ± 0.07% of total flavonoids. In a different model using UV-irradiated zebrafish embryos, a polyphenol-rich ethanolic extract from S. thunbergii , demonstrated a decrease (at 0.8 µg/mL, 1.2 µg/mL, and 1.6 μg/mL concentrations, respectively) in ROS production by 71%, 71%, and 85%, respectively [ 119 ]. Fucoxanthin and the meroterpenoid tetraprenyltoluquinol chromane, isolated from S. siliquastrum and S. muticum, respectively, showed a similar trend in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to the same radiation [ 53 , 120 ].…”