The Potential Anti-Photoaging Effect of Photodynamic Therapy Using Chlorin e6-Curcumin Conjugate in UVB-Irradiated Fibroblasts and Hairless Mice

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to treat cancers and non-malignant skin diseases. In this study, a chlorin e6–curcumin conjugate (Ce6-PEG-Cur), a combination of chlorin e6 (Ce6) and curcumin via a PEG linker, was used as a photosensitizer. The in vitro and in vivo effects of PDT using Ce6-PEG-Cur were analyzed in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts and hairless mice. The UVB-induced expression of MMPs was reduced in Hs68 fibroblast cells, and procollagen type Ⅰ expression was enhanced by Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT on a Western blotting gel. Moreover, UVB-induced collagen levels were restored upon application of Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT. Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT inhibited the expression of phosphorylated p38 in the MAPK signaling pathway, and it reduced the expression of phosphorylated NF-κB. In animal models, Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT inhibited the expression of MMPs, whereas procollagen type Ⅰ levels were enhanced in the dorsal skin of UVB-irradiated mice. Moreover, UVB-induced dorsal roughness was significantly reduced following Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT treatment. H&E staining and Masson’s trichrome staining showed that the thickness of the epidermal region was reduced, and the density of collagen fibers increased. Taken together, Ce6-PEG-Cur-mediated PDT might delay and improve skin photoaging by ultraviolet light, suggesting its potential for use as a more effective photo-aging treatment.

Chlorin E6-Curcumin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy Promotes an Anti-Photoaging Effect in UVB-Irradiated Fibroblasts

“…In this assay, Ce6-curcumin derivatives showed a slightly different pattern, with Ce6-propane-curcumin demonstrating a higher oxygen scavenging capacity than Ce6-hexane-curcumin and Ce6-diPEG-curcumin at both 1 and 10 nM concentrations. This result is consistent with our previous work that was conducted on hairless mice and fibroblasts exposed to UVB radiation to study the antioxidant effect of Ce6-monoPEG-curcumin-mediated PDT [41].…”

“…Among the tested derivatives, Ce6-diPEGcurcumin has shown better results in reducing MMP-1 and MMP-2. We also obtained a concentration-dependent reduction of UVB-induced MMPs, as shown in our previous study with Ce6-PEG-curcumin-mediated PDT [41]. Further, in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of Ce6-curcumin-derivatives-PDT for lowering MMPs, we examined the UVBinduced phosphorylation of MAPK, NF-κB, and subunits of AP-1.…”

“…Furthermore, curcumin encapsulated in elastic vesicles was found to have strong antioxidant activity and high radical scavenging capacity that inhibit UV-induced skin photoaging in mice [40]. Accordingly, we designed Ce6-curcumin conjugate (Ce6-monoPEG-curcumin) and discussed how it shields hairless mice and UVB-irradiated fibroblasts from photoaging [41]. Based on these intriguing results, we designed the new Ce6-curcumin derivatives by conjugating Ce6 and curcumin with different linkers (propane-1,3-diamine, hexane-1,6-diamine, and 3,3'-((oxybis(ethane-2,1diyl))bis(oxy))bis(propan-1-amine) to obtain Ce6-propane-curcumin, Ce6-hexane-curcumin, and Ce6-diPEG-curcumin [29].…”

Photodynamic therapy in brain cancer: mechanisms, clinical and preclinical studies and therapeutic challenges

“…PDT combined with chlorin e6 has antibacterial, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties (Hur et al, 2022). Due to the fact that it belongs to the chlorine group of photosensitizers, it has no dark toxicity and is quickly removed from the body (Thapa Magar et al, 2023).…”

Photodynamic Therapy Minimally Affects HEMA‐DMAEMA Hydrogel Viscoelasticity

“…At the lowest doses, PDT is commonly used for aesthetic treatment of photoaging and altered pigmentation in the skin. [18,19] The proposed use of PDT in implant infection clearing would take place in the moderate range, where all biological material receives damage near the threshold of OS recovery. Recovery mechanisms are the key advantage over bacteria and viruses when applying a therapy of this type.…”