The Protective Effect of Carotenoids, Polyphenols, and Estradiol on Dermal Fibroblasts under Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Skin ageing is influenced by several factors including environmental exposure and hormonal changes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediate many of the effects of these factors, induce inflammatory processes in the skin and increase the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in dermal fibroblasts, which leads to collagen degradation. Several studies have shown the protective role of estrogens and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables on skin physiology. Previous studies have shown that dietary carotenoids and polyphenols activate the cell’s antioxidant defense system by increasing antioxidant response element/Nrf2 (ARE/Nrf2) transcriptional activity and reducing the inflammatory response. The aim of the current study was to examine the protective effect of such dietary-derived compounds and estradiol on dermal fibroblasts under oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Human dermal fibroblasts were used to study the effect of H2O2 on cell number and apoptosis, MMP-1, and pro-collagen secretion as markers of skin damage. Treatment of cells with H2O2 led to cell death, increased secretion of MMP-1, and decreased pro-collagen secretion. Pre-treatment with tomato and rosemary extracts, and with estradiol, reversed the effects of the oxidative stress. This was associated with a reduction in intracellular ROS levels, probably through the measured increased activity of ARE/Nrf2. Conclusions: This study indicates that carotenoids, polyphenols, and estradiol protect dermal fibroblasts from oxidative stress-induced damage through a reduction in ROS levels.

Protective Effects of Orange Sweet Pepper Juices Prepared by High-Speed Blender and Low-Speed Masticating Juicer against UVB-induced Skin Damage in SKH-1 Hairless Mice

“…Such effects were reversed by the daily consumption of sweet pepper juices. A recent study has shown that carotenoids- and polyphenol-rich extracts reduced MMP-1 expression and simultaneously enhanced procollagen synthesis in normal human dermal fibroblasts under the condition of oxidative stress [ 40 ]. Although both HSB and LSM juices did not reduce MMP-2 expression and LSM juice was more effective in reducing MMP-9 expression, in general, the efficacy of HSB and LSM juices was similar and comparable to that of positive control vitamin C. These findings suggest that sweet pepper juice exerts anti-photoaging activity in a model of UVB-irradiated hairless mice by increasing collagen synthesis and suppressing collagen degradation.…”

Role of Phytochemicals in Skin Photoprotection via Regulation of Nrf2

“…Dietary carotenoids combined with rosemary extract containing carnosic acid having abilities to activate Nrf2/ARE system exerted an inhibitory effect on UVB (20–60 mJ/cm 2 )-induced TNF-α and MMP-1 secretion from dermal fibroblasts ( Calniquer et al, 2021 ). The tomato extracts rich in lycopene also protected against H 2 O 2 -induced photodamage of fibroblasts via promotion of pro-collagen secretion and suppression of apoptotic cell death and ROS formation ( Darawsha et al, 2021 ).…”

The Molecular Mechanism of Polyphenols with Anti-Aging Activity in Aged Human Dermal Fibroblasts

“…Novel active ingredients are required to retard or prevent skin aging by suppressing the harmful effects of UV. Especially, many researchers have demonstrated that natural polyphenols worldwide can be identified as a potential active ingredient to improve the aged skin dermis [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Polyphenol is a type of aromatic alcohol compound found in plants and is characterized by having several hydroxyl groups with a functional group of two or more phenyl groups [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”