Protective effect of Fucoxanthin against UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(4):757-60. doi: 10.1271/bbb.110040. Epub 2011 Apr 22.

Abstract

Fucoxanthin, a major carotenoid in brown algae, has various beneficial effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of topical fucoxanthin on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. The dorsal skins were treated topically with a 0.001% fucoxanthin solution 2 h each time before UVB irradiation (5 times a week) for 10 weeks. The formation of wrinkles in UVB-irradiated skin treated with vehicle alone significantly increased, as compared with the non-irradiated control. Treatment with fucoxanthin tended to suppress UVB-induced wrinkle formation, but there was no significant difference between wrinkle formation in the control group and the fucoxanthin treatment group. However, topical treatment with fucoxanthin significantly lessened UVB-induced epidermal hypertrophy, VEGF, and MMP-13 expression in the epidermis and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the skin. These results indicate that topical treatment with fucoxanthin prevents skin photoaging in UVB-irradiated hairless mice, possibly via antioxidant and antiangiogenic effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / radiation effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Hairless
  • Skin Aging / drug effects*
  • Skin Aging / genetics
  • Skin Aging / radiation effects*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*
  • Xanthophylls / administration & dosage
  • Xanthophylls / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Xanthophylls
  • fucoxanthin