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. 2020 May;19(5):3189-3196.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2020.8587. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Neferine prevents ultraviolet radiation-induced skin photoaging

Abidullah Khan  1 , Hongliang Bai  1 , Amin Khan  2 , Zhuanli Bai  1
Affiliations

Neferine prevents ultraviolet radiation-induced skin photoaging

Abidullah Khan et al. Exp Ther Med. 2020 May.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-photoaging effect of neferine upon exposure of mice to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. An in vivo photoaging model was established by repeatedly exposing mouse dorsal skin to UV-A and UV-B radiation for 12 weeks. Through skin photographs, hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, skin wrinkles, epidermal thickness and dermal collagen were analyzed in the UV-irradiated mouse skin. Furthermore, the levels of endogenous antioxidants, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were measured to determine the extent of UV-induced oxidative stress that was associated with photoaging. The results demonstrated that the topical application of neferine following UV irradiation reduced oxidative stress by increasing SOD and GPx activities, and attenuated the photoaging process. Histological and ultrastructural examination revealed that neferine delayed skin wrinkle formation by inhibiting epidermal hypertrophy and collagen loss and degradation. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that neferine effectively prevents UV-induced skin photoaging and photodamage.

Keywords: antioxidants; mice; neferine; skin photoaging; ultraviolet radiation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of neferine.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nef application inhibits skin wrinkles in mice upon UV exposure. (A) Representative images showing wrinkles on the dorsal skin of mice at the end of the 12-week study. (B) Photographic images (upper panels) and scanning electron microscopy images (lower panels) of wrinkles in mice dorsal skin. Nef, neferine; UV, ultraviolet.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Nef inhibits epidermal thickening in UV-irradiated mice. (A) Hematoxylin and eosin staining showing epidermal thickness. (B) Epidermal thickness expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=6). *P<0.05 vs. control group; #P<0.05 vs. the vehicle + UV group. Nef, neferine; UV, ultraviolet.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Nef application reduces dermal collagen loss following 12 weeks of UV irradiation. (A) Masson's trichrome staining: Upper panels. (B) Transmission electron microscopy. (C) Quantification of dermal collagen density. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=6). *P<0.05 vs. control group; #P<0.05 vs. the vehicle + UV group. Nef, neferine; UV, ultraviolet.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Nef treatment increased antioxidant levels in mouse skin following 12 weeks of UV irradiation. (A) SOD and (B) GPx levels in mouse skin. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (n=6). *P<0.05 vs. control group; #P<0.05 vs. the vehicle + UV group. Nef, neferine; SOD, superoxide dismutase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; UV, ultraviolet.
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