UVA contributes to the pathogenesis of skin aging by downregulation of
procollagen I content and induction of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-associated
responses. Application of antioxidants such as lycopene has been demonstrated as a
convenient way to achieve protection against skin aging. Lycogen™, derived from the
extracts of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, exerts several biological effects similar to that of
lycopene whereas most of its anti-aging efficacy remains uncertain. In this study, we attempted
to examine whether Lycogen™ could suppress malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and
restore downregulated procollagen I expression induced by UVA exposure. In human dermal fibroblasts Hs68 cells, UVA repressed cell viability and decreased procollagen I
protein content accompanied with the induction of MMP-1 and MDA accumulation.
Remarkably, incubation with 50 μM Lycogen™ for 24 h ameliorated UVA-induced cell
death and restored UVA-induced downregulation of procollagen in a dose-related manner.
Lycogen™ treatment also prevented the UVA-induced MMP-1 upregulation and
intracellular MDA generation in Hs68 cells. Activation of NFκB levels, one of the
downstream events induced by UVA irradiation and MMP-1 induction, were also
prevented by Lycogen™ administration. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that
Lycogen™ may be an alternative agent that prevents UVA-induced skin aging and could
be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.