Hesperetin attenuates UVA-induced photodamage in human dermal fibroblast cells

Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation causes skin damage. Recently, natural compounds have become an interest to protect skin from UV-induced photodamages.In this study, we investigated the protective effects of hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, on UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and photoaging.Our results showed that hesperetin increased the cell viability, suppressed the intracellular ROS levels, and decreased the expression of MMPs including MMP-1 and MMP-3, pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and COX-2 in UVA-irradiated HDFs. Besides, hesperetin exerted an anti-apoptotic effect by increasing expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and decreasing expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Moreover, these anti-photodamage effects were mediated by inhibition of ERK, p38/AP-1, and NF-κb/p65 phosphorylation.Therefore, hesperetin may be useful in the prevention of UVA-induced skin damage.