Eckol inhibits ultraviolet B-induced cell damage in human keratinocytes via a decrease in oxidative stress

In previous reports, the antioxidant effects of eckol were shown to protect cells against hydrogen peroxide- and gamma ray-induced oxidative stress. In this study, the role of eckol in protecting human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) against UVB-induced oxidative cell damage was investigated. Also, triphlorethol-A, one of the chemical components in Ecklonia cava, and quercetin a well known antioxidant, were compared with eckol in terms of antioxidant activity based on chemical structure. Eckol decreased UVB-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased injury to cellular components resulting from UVB-induced oxidative stress, and restored cell viability. In addition, eckol reduced UVB-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the disruption of mitochondrial membranes. These results suggest that eckol protects human keratinocytes against UVB-induced oxidative stress by scavenging ROS, thereby lessening injury to cellular components.