Panthenol Citrate: A Photoprotective Antioxidative Molecule for Shielding Skin against UV Radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major contributor to skin damage, leading to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Developing effective photoprotective agents that mitigate UV radiation-induced cellular and molecular damage is crucial for advancing skincare solutions. This study investigates the photoprotective and antioxidative properties of panthenol citrate (PC) using an ex vivo human skin organ model. PC demonstrated robust antioxidative activity, effectively scavenging free radicals, chelating iron ions, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, with efficacy comparable to or exceeding that of l-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). PC treatment significantly reduced UV radiation-induced DNA damage, as confirmed by decreased 8-OHdG staining and inhibited apoptosis, evidenced by lower levels of caspase-3-positive cells. Histological analysis revealed that PC preserved skin structure and reduced pyknotic nuclei caused by UV radiation exposure. Importantly, these protective effects were observed across both hydrophilic (glycerol) and hydrophobic (coconut oil) carriers, highlighting PC's versatility for formulation development. Collectively, these findings establish PC as a multifunctional photoprotective agent with significant potential for mitigating UV radiation-induced oxidative stress and promoting skin health. This study paves the way for the incorporation of PC into advanced skincare formulations to enhance UV radiation protection.