Sesamin from Artemisia littoricola Attenuates UVA-Induced MMP Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts via MAPK Pathway Modulation

Background: Photoaging is predominantly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and is a major contributor to premature skin aging. Photoaging of the skin is characterized by oxidative stress and collagen degradation. Damage to skin extracellular matrix proteins is mainly caused by the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Sesamin, a lignan commonly found in sesame seeds, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial properties, making it a promising compound for skin photoprotection.<br/>Methods and Results: The photoaging amelioration potential of sesamin isolated from Artemisia littoricolawas investigated using UVA-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Sesamin significantly reduced intracellular ROS accumulation and attenuated UVA-mediated elevation in secreted MMP-1. Sesamin also suppressed phosphorylation of the terminal mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK, JNK, and p38. MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein levels were also down-regulated, and collagen content was preserved.<br/>Conclusions: These results demonstrate that sesamin protects against UVA-induced damage in HDFs by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting MAPK-mediated MMP expression. These results indicate that sesamin is a potential natural photoprotective agent with potential applications in skin care. Isolation of sesamin from A. littoricolahighlights the relevance of medicinal crops as a source of bioactive compounds for cosmeceutical applications.