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Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Dieckol, an Algae-Derived Phenolic Compound, Suppresses UVB-Induced Skin Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Its
Lei Wang1,2,3, Jun-Geon Je2, Hye-Won Yang2
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
Abstract:
Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is considered to be the primary environmental factor that causes skin damage. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of dieckol (DK), a compound isolated from the brown seaweed Ecklonia cava, against UVB-induced skin damage in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF cells). The results indicated that DK effectively inhibited the activity of collagenase. DK remarkably reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species level and improved the viability of UVB-irradiated HDF cells. Besides, DK significantly and dose-dependently improved collagen synthesis and inhibited intracellular collagenase activity in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. In addition, DK markedly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Further analyses revealed that these processes were mediated through the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B, activator protein 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in the UVB-irradiated HDF cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that DK possesses strong in vitro photoprotective effects and therefore has the potential to be used as an ingredient in the cosmeceutical industry.
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