Ribes nigrum L. Prevents UVB‐mediated Photoaging in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Potential Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activity

Abstract Black currants ( Ribes nigrum L , RN ) are known as a “super fruit” to possess for their many potential health benefits such as the alleviation of oxidative stress‐related disorders. However, little skin photoaging‐related research has been done on the use of this agent. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of RN in UVB ‐irradiated human dermal fibroblasts ( NHDF s). RN treatment in UVB ‐irradiated skin models alleviated UVB ‐mediated photoaging through several mechanisms: Treatment with RN downregulated MAPK ‐related signaling models, such as those of activation protein 1 ( AP ‐1) and nuclear factor kappa B ( NF ‐κB). In addition, phase II gene heme oxygenase‐1 ( HO ‐1) was modulated by the increase in nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the nuclear, and finally, transforming growth factor TGF ‐β was upregulated in vitro . Further study indicated that UVB ‐induced production of MMP ‐1 and IL ‐6 could be inhibited by PD 98059 (an inhibitor of ERK ) and SP 600125 (an inhibitor of JNK ). Thus, RN improved the expression of type I procollagen and inhibited UVB ‐induced MMP ‐1 and IL ‐6 secretion through inactivating MAPK cascades. Therefore, RN is a suitable target for further investigation as an antiphotoaging agent and may have applications in the skincare industry.