Helianthus annuus L. flower prevents UVB‐induced photodamage in human dermal fibroblasts by regulating the MAPK/AP‐1, NFAT, and Nrf2 signaling pathways

• Published in: Journal of cellular biochemistry Vol. 120; no. 1; pp. 601 - 612
• Main Authors: Hwang, Eunson, Gao, Wei, Xiao, Yong‐kun, Ngo, Hien T. T., Yi, Tae‐Hoo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Background radiation; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell Survival - radiation effects; Collagen Type I - metabolism; Cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Ethanol; Ethanol - chemistry; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Flowers; Flowers - chemistry; Growth factors; Helianthus - chemistry; Helianthus annuus; Helianthus annuus L; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukins; MAP kinase; MAPK/AP‐1; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 - metabolism; Matrix metalloproteinases; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - metabolism; mRNA; NF-AT protein; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 - metabolism; NFATC Transcription Factors - metabolism; NFATc1; Nitric-oxide synthase; Nrf2; Nuclear transport; Phosphorylation; photodamage; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Procollagen; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Signal transduction; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Signal Transduction - radiation effects; Signaling; Skin; Skin - cytology; Skin Aging - physiology; Transcription Factor AP-1 - metabolism; Transforming growth factor; Transforming growth factor-b1; Translocation; Tumor necrosis factor; Ultraviolet radiation; ultraviolet radiation B; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Vascular endothelial growth factor; NFATc1; Helianthus annuus L; photodamage; Nrf2; ultraviolet radiation B; MAPK/AP-1
• ISSN: 0730-2312; 1097-4644
• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27417

Background Excessive ultraviolet radiation usually causes skin photoaging, inflammation, and even photocarcinogenesis. UV radiation‐generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major contributing factor to photodamage. The flowers of Helianthus annuus L. have been reported to possess strong anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activity. However, there are few reports on the use of H. annuus L. to relieve UVB‐induced photoaging. Purpose In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of a 50% ethanol extract of H. annuus L. flower (HAF) against UVB‐induced photodamage using normal human dermal fibroblasts. Methods The secretion of ROS, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), procollagen type I, and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) was measured with kits. The messenger RNA levels of COX‐2, iNOS, and TGF‐α were measured by RT‐PCR. The AP‐1, MAPK, NFAT, and Nrf2 pathways were investigated by Western blot analysis. Results HAF extract significantly blocked UVB‐induced ROS and MMP (MMP‐1 and MMP‐3) production and procollagen type I reduction. Further study demonstrated that the photoaging inhibitory actions were related to promotion of Nrf2 nuclear translocation, upregulation of TGF‐β1 level, and downregulation of AP‐1 and MAPK phosphorylation. Importantly, HAF effectively inhibited UVB‐induced VEGF and inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6, COX‐2, iNOS, and TNF‐α secretion, which might be involved in the regulation of the NFAT signaling pathway. Conclusion Our results indicate that HAF is a useful botanical source protecting against UVB‐mediated skin photodamage. In this study, 50% ethanol extract of Helianthus annuus L. flower (HAF) significantly blocked UVB‐induced ROS and MMP (MMP‐1 and MMP‐3) production and procollagen type I reduction. It also promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation, upregulation of TGF‐β1 level, and downregulation of AP‐1 and MAPK phosphorylation. HAF effectively inhibited UVB‐induced VEGF and inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6, COX‐2, iNOS, and TNF‐α secretion, which might be involved in the regulation of the NFAT signaling pathway.