Inhibitory effect of Mojaban (Sargassum fulvellum) extract on ultraviolet B-induced photoaging in hairless mouse skin

Ultraviolet radiation is a major cause of photoaging, characterized by wrinkle formation and skin dehydration. Mojaban (Sargassum fulvellum), belonging to the brown algae of the Sargassaceae family, exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-atopic activities. Particularly, Mojaban extract alleviated ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes and BALB/c mice. Here, the dorsal skin of hairless mice was exposed to UVB for photoaging. The mice were administrated 300 mg/kg Mojaban extract (S. fulvellum extract; SFE) daily. Phenotypically, SFE reduced wrinkle formation and epidermal thickness and increased skin elasticity. SFE increased hydroxyproline content by upregulating the expression of collagen-related genes and downregulating matrix metalloproteinase expression. Furthermore, SFE increased skin moisture content and inhibited transepidermal water loss. SFE upregulated the expression of involucrin, loricrin, and transglutaminase for cornified envelope formation as well as the expression of filaggrin and caspase-14 for natural moisturizing factors. Collectively, SFE may be employed as a nutraceutical ingredient for anti-photoaging.