Oleanolic Acid Protects the Skin from Particulate Matter-Induced Aging.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Environmental Health

Background:

• Particulate matter (PM) exposure is linked to health issues, including skin aging.
• PM components like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in skin cells, leading to inflammation and damage.
• Oleanolic acid, found in L. lucidum, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of oleanolic acid against PM₁₀-induced skin aging.
• To determine if oleanolic acid can modulate the AhR pathway and related cellular responses in keratinocytes exposed to PM₁₀.

Main Methods:

• Keratinocytes were treated with PM₁₀ and oleanolic acid.
• Expression of CYP1A1, inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) were measured.
• Autophagy processes affected by the AhR pathway were assessed.

Main Results:

• Oleanolic acid inhibited PM₁₀-induced CYP1A1 expression.
• It reduced PM₁₀-induced increases in TNF-α and IL-6.
• Conditioned media from co-treated cells decreased MMP-1 release in dermal fibroblasts.
• Oleanolic acid restored AhR-mediated autophagy disruption.

Conclusions:

• Oleanolic acid demonstrates potential in mitigating PM₁₀-induced skin aging.
• It acts by inhibiting inflammatory markers and restoring cellular homeostasis disrupted by PM exposure via the AhR pathway.