Artocarpin, a prenylated flavonoid isolated from an agricultural plant Artocarpus communis, has been documented to possess anti-inflammation and anticancer activities. As oxidative stress and inflammation promote the development of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced photodamage, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the photoprotective effect of artocarpin on UVB-induced skin damage in hairless mice. Artocarpin at a topical dose of 0.05% and 0.1% showed a significant photoprotective effect by decreasing histopathological changes, such as desquamation, epidermal thicken and sunburn cell formation, but 0.1% of artocarpin administration did not show better effect. Regarding the antioxidant activities, artocarpin exhibited a significant effect (P<0.05) by decreasing levels of reactive species oxygen and lipid peroxidation. In addition, artocarpin can significant decrease the level of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β for downregulating the inflammation protein, including the synthesis of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (P<0.05). In conclusion, these data suggest that artocarpin can prevent skin damage from UVB irradiation-induced photodamage in hairless mice and this is likely mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammation mechanisms. Therefore, we suggested that artocarpin could be a useful photoprotective agent in medicine and/or cosmetics.
Keywords: Anti-inflammation; Antioxidant; Artocarpin; Histopathological changes; Ultraviolet B irradiation.
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