An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model

With the increasing frequency of ultraviolet (UV) exposure in daily life and the exploration of anti-photoaging strategies, natural plant-derived compounds with anti-skin-aging properties have garnered significant attention. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zein-chitosan-based nanocarrie...

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Main Authors: Fangzhi Xia, Fei Wang, Liangchun Kuo, Pengyu Huang, Anyi Liu, Gao Wang, Xiaomin Tang, Kun Guan, Ying Xie, Junbo Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2150
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author Fangzhi Xia
Fei Wang
Liangchun Kuo
Pengyu Huang
Anyi Liu
Gao Wang
Xiaomin Tang
Kun Guan
Ying Xie
Junbo Wang
author_facet Fangzhi Xia
Fei Wang
Liangchun Kuo
Pengyu Huang
Anyi Liu
Gao Wang
Xiaomin Tang
Kun Guan
Ying Xie
Junbo Wang
author_sort Fangzhi Xia
collection DOAJ
description With the increasing frequency of ultraviolet (UV) exposure in daily life and the exploration of anti-photoaging strategies, natural plant-derived compounds with anti-skin-aging properties have garnered significant attention. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zein-chitosan-based nanocarriers in enhancing the bioavailability of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and to elucidate its mechanisms in ameliorating skin photoaging. Utilizing a Balb/c mouse model of photoaging, we monitored skin conditions, analyzed skin barrier function parameters, and observed changes in skin tissue structure and collagen fibers through hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to assess COL1A1 levels in the skin, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and NF-kB levels. The effects of orally administered EGCG nanoparticles on UV-induced skin aging were investigated. UV exposure significantly increased skin roughness, impaired skin barrier function, thickened the epidermis, reduced collagen content, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, and NF-kB in the model group compared to the normal control group. EGCG nanoparticles markedly ameliorated these photoaging manifestations, with some indicators showing superior improvement compared to free EGCG. These findings suggest that EGCG nanoparticles exhibit enhanced anti-photoaging effects over free EGCG, highlighting the potential of nanocarriers as a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability of EGCG.
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spelling doaj-art-7e3abbf5f6f941ed8a2c8d77070b0fd02025-08-20T03:28:33ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011413215010.3390/foods14132150An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine ModelFangzhi Xia0Fei Wang1Liangchun Kuo2Pengyu Huang3Anyi Liu4Gao Wang5Xiaomin Tang6Kun Guan7Ying Xie8Junbo Wang9Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery System, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery System, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaSchool of Public Health, Peking University, and Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing 100191, ChinaWith the increasing frequency of ultraviolet (UV) exposure in daily life and the exploration of anti-photoaging strategies, natural plant-derived compounds with anti-skin-aging properties have garnered significant attention. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of zein-chitosan-based nanocarriers in enhancing the bioavailability of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and to elucidate its mechanisms in ameliorating skin photoaging. Utilizing a Balb/c mouse model of photoaging, we monitored skin conditions, analyzed skin barrier function parameters, and observed changes in skin tissue structure and collagen fibers through hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to assess COL1A1 levels in the skin, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and NF-kB levels. The effects of orally administered EGCG nanoparticles on UV-induced skin aging were investigated. UV exposure significantly increased skin roughness, impaired skin barrier function, thickened the epidermis, reduced collagen content, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, and NF-kB in the model group compared to the normal control group. EGCG nanoparticles markedly ameliorated these photoaging manifestations, with some indicators showing superior improvement compared to free EGCG. These findings suggest that EGCG nanoparticles exhibit enhanced anti-photoaging effects over free EGCG, highlighting the potential of nanocarriers as a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability of EGCG.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2150EGCGskin agingultraviolet raysnanoparticle
spellingShingle Fangzhi Xia
Fei Wang
Liangchun Kuo
Pengyu Huang
Anyi Liu
Gao Wang
Xiaomin Tang
Kun Guan
Ying Xie
Junbo Wang
An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
Foods
EGCG
skin aging
ultraviolet rays
nanoparticle
title An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
title_full An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
title_fullStr An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
title_full_unstemmed An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
title_short An Elucidation of the Anti-Photoaging Efficacy and Molecular Mechanisms of Epigallocatechin Gallate Nanoparticles in a Balb/c Murine Model
title_sort elucidation of the anti photoaging efficacy and molecular mechanisms of epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles in a balb c murine model
topic EGCG
skin aging
ultraviolet rays
nanoparticle
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2150
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