Identification of potential anti‐photoageing algal compounds using an in‐vitro model of photoageing

Stress‐induced premature senescence (SIPS) has been proposed as an in‐vitro model for testing the long‐term effects of stressful events and to find molecules/natural extracts that protect against such stress. Premature senescence of human skin diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) can be induced by repeated subcytotoxic exposure to UVB, with the appearance of so‐called biomarkers of senescence such as growth arrest, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, senescence‐associated gene over‐expression and the common 4977‐bp mitochondrial DNA deletion. This model of UVB‐induced premature senescence has been acknowledged as a robust in‐vitro model in photoageing research. In this study, the potential anti‐photoageing effects of a series of algal extracts were tested. The appearance of the biomarkers of UVB‐induced premature senescence of HDFs was studied with or without algal extracts. One algal extract was shown to be particularly protective against UVB‐induced SIPS. The results obtained here reinforce the notion that UVB‐induced premature senescence of HDFs can be used to screen potential anti‐photoageing compounds.