Protective Effect of Sophora japonica L. Extract and Vitamin C Composition on Photodamage of HaCaT Cells Induced by Ultraviolet Irradiation

This study aims to investigate the protective effects of the extract of Sophora japonica L. (Sophora extract) and vitamin C (VC) on UV-induced damage in HaCaT cells. HaCaT cells were cultured in vitro and divided into different groups: Control group (without UV irradiation or treatment with Sophora extract, VC, or their combination), UV radiation group, 125 μg/mL Sophora extract group (with UV irradiation and treatment with Sophora extract), 125 μg/mL vitamin C group (with UV irradiation and treatment with VC), and 125 μg/mL combination group (with UV irradiation, Sophora extract and VC at a mass ratio of 1:1). The inhibitory effects of Sophora extract, VC, and their combination on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial ROS in UV-irradiated HaCaT cells were measured using fluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were also employed to evaluate the expression levels of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in UV-irradiated HaCaT cells treated with Sophora extract, VC, or their combination. The results showed that the total ROS inhibition rates of Sophora extract, VC, and the combination in UVA-treated HaCaT cells were 38.23%±9.23%, 27.20%±6.87%, and 64.13%±4.08%, respectively. The combination significantly enhanced the total ROS inhibition rate compared to the individual treatments (P