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Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Hesperetin attenuates UVA-induced photodamage in human dermal fibroblast cells
Zhiyu Lu1, Qingyue Xia1, Yuxin Cheng1
1Department of dermatology, The first affiliated hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Background:
Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation causes skin damage. Recently, natural compounds have become an interest to protect skin from UV-induced photodamages.
Methods:
In this study, we investigated the protective effects of hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, on UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and photoaging.
Results:
Our results showed that hesperetin increased the cell viability, suppressed the intracellular ROS levels, and decreased the expression of MMPs including MMP-1 and MMP-3, pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and COX-2 in UVA-irradiated HDFs. Besides, hesperetin exerted an anti-apoptotic effect by increasing expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and decreasing expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Moreover, these anti-photodamage effects were mediated by inhibition of ERK, p38/AP-1, and NF-κb/p65 phosphorylation.
Conclusion:
Therefore, hesperetin may be useful in the prevention of UVA-induced skin damage.
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