Protective Effects of Solanum tuberosum L. Peel Extracts Against UVB-Induced Skin Damage: Antioxidant and Anti-Photoaging Activities in Skin Cells

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) peel, a by-product of the food processing industry, has attracted attention as a potential source of bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-photoaging-related effects of potato peel extracts in human skin cells. Solanum tuberosum L. peel water extract (PPW) and Solanum tuberosum L. ethanol extract (PPE) were prepared and examined in UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) cells. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression, pro-collagen type I production, and cellular senescence were evaluated in HDF cells, whereas wound closure was assessed in HaCaT cells using a scratch assay. PPE showed higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents and stronger radical scavenging activity. In HDFs, PPW significantly reduced intracellular ROS production, whereas both extracts reduced MMP-1 expression under UVB-irradiated conditions. PPE significantly increased pro-collagen type I production. Both extracts reduced cellular senescence under UVB-irradiated conditions. In addition, PPE enhanced wound closure in HaCaT cells, suggesting a possible improvement in cell migration-related responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that potato peel extracts may exert protective effects against UVB-induced oxidative stress and photoaging-related cellular changes and may serve as potential functional materials associated with skin-protective and anti-photoaging-related cellular effects.