Unlocking the acquired ultraviolet-resistance and enhanced antioxidant potential of pterostilbene-loaded...

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UVA and UVB, induces skin damage through oxidative stress and inflammation. However, existing UV protection materials fail to simultaneously block UV rays and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). To address this dual challenge, we developed pterostilbene (PTE)-loaded Tween 80 micelles, designated Tw80-based pharmaceutical dots (PTE-Tw80@PDs). This nanosystem exploited the chromophore's aggregation induced emission property: it absorbs UV radiation and re-emit it as harmless longer-wavelength light (410 nm), while delivering potent antioxidant activity. Physicochemical characterization confirmed PTE-Tw80@PDs to exhibit a narrow size distribution (∼10 nm), significantly enhanced fluorescence, and broad-spectrum UV attenuation (200-400 nm). In vitro assays demonstrated superior ROS scavenging over free PTE, reduced UV-induced cytotoxicity in HUVEC and HaCaT cells, and excellent biocompatibility based on Tween 80. This nanoplatform integrates UV shielding, ROS neutralization, and safe delivery, offering a promising strategy for comprehensive photoprotection.