Antioxidative and antiphotoaging activities of neferine upon UV-A irradiation in human dermal fibroblasts

Our daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipids, proteins and DNA damage and alteration in fibroblast structure, thus contributing to skin photoaging. For this reason, the use of natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity could be a strategic tool to overcome ultraviolet A (UV-A) induced deleterious effect. Neferine is an alkaloid extract from the seed embryos of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn). In the present study, we report the protective effect of neferine against UV-A induced oxidative stress and photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). HDFs subjected to UV-A irradiation showed increased production of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, it depleted the cellular enzymatic antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx). On the other hand, HDFs treated with neferine followed by UV-A irradiation reversed the process, reduced the ROS and lipid peroxidation and restored the antioxidants pool. Moreover, neferine treatment significantly inhibited UV-A induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in HDFs. Remarkable morphological and ultrastructural alterations observed in HDFs upon UV-A irradiation, were also reduced with neferine treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that neferine has strong antioxidative and photoprotective properties and thus may be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of UV-A mediated skin photoaging.