In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on Protective Action of N-Phenethyl Caffeamide against Photodamage of Skin

PLoS One. 2015 Sep 14;10(9):e0136777. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136777. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

In our previous study, N-phenethyl caffeamide (K36) was proved to act as an antioxidant and an antiphotoaging agent by inhibiting type I procollagen degradation and stimulating collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts. In the present study, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism of action and the antiinflammatory and antiphotoaging activity of K36. K36 reduced UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) expression by regulating IκB and p-IκB expression. K36 also inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by K36 was attributed to the downregulation of COX-2. Topically applying K36 led to efficient antiwrinkle formation and reduced UVB-induced erythema and thickness of epidermis in hairless mice. In addition, K36 penetrated into the skin of hairless mice. Our findings show that K36 has significant beneficial effects on antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiphotoaging activity and suggest that K36 can be developed as an antiaging agent for cosmetic and skin care products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caffeic Acids / chemistry
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Epidermis / drug effects*
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Epidermis / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Skin Aging / drug effects*
  • Skin Aging / radiation effects
  • Sunscreening Agents / pharmacology*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Caffeic Acids
  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • N-2-(4-bromophenyl) ethyl caffeamide
  • N-phenethyl caffeamide
  • NF-kappa B
  • Sunscreening Agents
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2

Grants and funding

This study was sponsored by the National Science Council (NSC100-2320-B-039-002-MY3 and 99-2622-B-039-001-CC3), Taipei, and CMU under the Aim for Top University Plan of the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, and Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (MOHW103-TDU-B-212-113002), Taiwan.