Botryococcene Inhibits UV-B-Induced Photoaging by Scavenging Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species

Sunlight exposure contributes to human health; however, excessive light exposure to skin, especially ultraviolet B (UV-B), can produce high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce inflammation. Some antioxidants, such as squalene, can prevent UV-B-induced inflammation. C₃₄H₅₈ botryococcene is the most common triterpene hydrocarbon produced by green alga Botryococcus braunii; it is biosynthesized via a pathway similar to squalene and appears to have a similar chemical structure to squalene. However, there are no reports on the bioactivity of botryococcene. In this study, we evaluated that botryococcene can prevent the skin photoaging. Using ESR assay, botryococcene could not scavenge any ROS. However, treatment of epidermis cells with the botryococcene significantly suppressed intracellular ROS production by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and attenuated H₂O₂ cytotoxicity. Botryococcene enhanced the antioxidant enzymes in gastric cells, thus botryococcene may scavenge ROS indirectly, not directly. Moreover, botryococcene inhibited production of intracellular interleukin-1 and exhibited suppression of melanogenesis activity by UV-B irradiation. Addition of botryococcene-treated epidermal cells culture medium mitigated the increase in matrix metalloproteinase-1 production and the decrease in type I collagen production induced by UV-B irradiation in dermis cells. These results showed that botryococcene has anti-photoaging effects, including preventing wrinkles and blemishes on the skin.