Protective effects of Capsicum fruits and their constituents on damage in TNF-α-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts

BACKGROUNDAntioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of natural products on skin cells have been proved to be effective in improving skin damage. Capsicum species contain capsaicinoids that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and various subspecies are cultivated. In this study, the effects of four Capsicum fruits and major constituents on oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions were measured using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to verify their effects on skin damage. RESULTSThe inhibitory effects of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) by cucumber hot pepper, red pepper (RDP), Shishito pepper (SSP), and Cheongyang pepper were determined in HDFs. RDP and SSP inhibited the production of NO, ROS, and PGE(2) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated HDFs. Additionally, SSP seeds restored tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase-1 and decreased procollagen I alpha 1 (COLIA1). In high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the capsaicinoids capsaicin (CAP) and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC), CAP was detected at a higher level than DHC in the peel and seeds of all four types of Capsicum fruits, and the total amount of capsaicinoids was the highest in SSP. CAP and DHC, which are major constituents of Capsicum fruits, also inhibited NO, ROS, and PGE(2) and restored matrix metalloproteinase-1 and procollagen I alpha 1. CONCLUSIONRDP and SSP were shown to have a significant protective effect on skin damage, including oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and reduction of collagens. Capsaicinoids CAP and DHC were proved as active constituents. This research may provide basic data for developing Capsicum fruits as ingredients to improve skin damage, such as inflammation and skin aging. (c) 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Automated summary

This study found that red pepper and Shishito pepper have significant protective effects on skin damage, including antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory reactions, and reduction of collagen. Capsaicinoids CAP and DHC were proved to be the active constituents responsible for these protective effects. This research provides important basic data for developing Capsicum fruits as ingredients for improving skin damage.