Modulation of Melanogenesis and Cell Survival in UV-Exposed Melanocytes by Natural Polyphenolic Compounds: A Comprehensive In Vitro Investigation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64354/hr1dqh16Keywords:
Melanogenesis; Polyphenols; UV radiation; Tyrosinase; EGCG; Resveratrol; Curcumin; Nrf2; Melanocyte survival; Reactive oxygen speciesAbstract
Ultraviolet radiation is one of the major environmental hazards for skin homeostasis, causing overproduction of melanin and impairing melanocyte survival through oxidative stress-driven mechanisms. The present study examined the modulatory effects of five structurally diverse polyphenolic compounds, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin, on melanin biosynthesis and cellular survival in B16F10 murine melanoma cells exposed to UVB irradiation (30 mJ/cm2). Cells were pre-treated with polyphenols at doses of 10–200 μM for 24 h before UV exposure. Melanin content, tyrosinase activity, cell viability (MTT assay), reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and apoptotic markers (Bcl-2/Bax ratio, caspase-3 activation) were evaluated. Additionally, Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of major melanogenic transcription factors such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream signalling mediators (p38 MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Nrf2). All polyphenols studied strongly inhibited UV-induced melanin formation and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. EGCG and resveratrol showed the best inhibitory efficacy. Moreover, pre-treatment with these chemicals increased the survival of melanocytes exposed to UV exposure, decreased intracellular ROS generation and modulated the Bcl-2 /Bax ratio toward an anti-apoptotic phenotype. Interestingly, we observed that Nrf2 nuclear translocation was significantly enhanced in polyphenol-treated cells, which was negatively related to melanin production. Collectively, our findings reveal the potential value of natural polyphenols in photoprotective dermatological formulations with the capacity to simultaneously control melanogenesis and increase melanocyte survival under UV-induced oxidative stress.
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