Ann Dermatol.  2022 Apr;34(2):125-131. 10.5021/ad.2022.34.2.125.

Astaxanthin Protects Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes via Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

• Chung BY
• Park SH
• Yun SY
• Yu DS
• Lee YB

• KMID: 2527465
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2022.34.2.125

Abstract

Background
Ultraviolet radiation causes skin damage due to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory intermediates and direct attack of DNA of skin cells. Astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids and has protective effects as an antioxidant.
Objective
To determine the beneficial effects of astaxanthin on damaged human skin after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Methods
Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were pre-treated with astaxanthin for 24 hours and exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. After 24 hours, the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay measured cell viability, ROS assay and flow cytometry analysis assessed apoptosis, and western blotting was performed to determine expression of apoptosis-related proteins.
Results
Astaxanthin significantly inhibited UVB-induced NHEKs cytotoxicity. Pretreatment of NHEKs with astaxanthin reduced UVB-induced ROS production. Astaxanthin caused significant inhibition of UVB-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis and western blotting.
Conclusion
These results suggest that astaxanthine has a beneficial effect of reducing damage caused by UVB by effectively inhibiting cell death and reducing ROS production in keratinocytes.

Keyword

Apoptosis; Astaxanthine; Keratinocytes; Reactive oxygen species; Ultraviolet rays