Apigenin prevents ultraviolet-B radiation induced oxidative stress and dna damage in human dermal fibroblasts

Background: The exposure of skin to ultraviolet-B radiations leads to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and can induce production of free radicals which imbalance the redox status of the cell and lead to increased oxidative stress. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the protective effects of apigenin, against ultraviolet-B (290-320 nm) radiation induced cellular changes were investigated in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa). Materials and Methods: HDFa cells pretreated with increasing concentrations of apigenin (1, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 μg/ml) for 30 min, were UVB irradiated and different cellular end points were analyzed. Results: The percentage of cytotoxicity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LHP), morphological apoptotic cell death and DNA damage were significantly increased in 19.8 mJ/cm2 UVB exposed HDFa cells. Further, exposure to UVB causes significantly decreased antioxidants status in HDFa cells. Treatment of HDFa cells with apigenin before 30 min of UVB‑irradiation significantly restored MMP, ROS levels, antioxidant status, apoptotic changes and DNA damage in HDFa cells. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that apigenin prevents UVB induced cellular changes in human HDFa. Hence, it may be used as a constituent in sunscreen lotions.