Combination of crocin and vitamin E mitigates UV-induced ROS and apoptosis in human skin fibroblasts

Abstract Ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress is a major contributor to cellular damage in skin, primarily through excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of apoptosis pathways. While individual antioxidants such as vitamin E are well-characterized, the combined effects of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants on ROS-mediated cellular damage remain insufficiently understood. In this study, human dermal fibroblasts exposed to UV-C–induced oxidative stress were treated with crocin and vitamin E, individually and in combination, to evaluate their cytoprotective effects. Both compounds significantly reduced intracellular and extracellular ROS levels, decreased apoptosis, and improved cell viability. Notably, their combined application demonstrated a synergistic effect, suggesting enhanced efficacy through complementary antioxidant mechanisms. These effects may be attributed, at least in part, to attenuation of ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and downstream apoptotic signaling. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of combinatorial antioxidant strategies in mitigating oxidative stress–induced cellular damage. However, further studies using physiologically relevant models are required to validate these effects.