Porcine Placenta Peptide Inhibits UVB-Induced Skin Wrinkle Formation and Dehydration: Insights into MAPK Signaling Pathways from In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight accelerates skin aging, leading to various clinical manifestations such as wrinkles, dryness, and loss of elasticity. This study investigated the protective effects of porcine placenta peptide (PPP) against UVB-induced skin photoaging. Female hairless SKH-1 mice were orally administered PPP for 12 weeks, followed by UVB irradiation. PPP significantly reduced wrinkle formation, improved skin moisture levels, and prevented collagen degradation. Mechanistically, PPP inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and upregulated collagen production. Moreover, PPP elevated hyaluronic acid levels, contributing to enhanced skin hydration. Additionally, PPP demonstrated antioxidant properties by increasing the expression of the antioxidant enzyme GPx-1, thereby reducing UVB-induced inflammation. Further molecular analysis revealed that PPP suppressed the activation of p38 MAP kinase and JNK signaling pathways, crucial mediators of UV-induced skin damage. These findings highlight the potential of porcine placental peptides as a natural and effective intervention against UVB-induced skin photoaging. The study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of PPP, emphasizing its potential applications in skincare and anti-aging formulations.

Anti-Photoaging Effects of Upcycled Citrus junos Seed Anionic Peptides on Ultraviolet-Radiation-Induced Skin Aging in a Reconstructed Skin Model

“…UVB exposure induces oxidative stress in keratinocytes [19], and increased production of ROS is deleterious to keratinocytes [19]. However, previously, peptides from seaweed [20], a frog peptide [16], and a porcine placenta peptide [17] were reported to prevent the photoaging of skin by inhibiting ROS accumulation. Also, a peptide from tilapia gelatin hydrolysate inhibited ROS production by enhancing the levels of antioxidant factors superoxide (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells [18].…”

“…Currently, compounds isolated from natural resources have been reported to exert protective effects against skin photoaging. Particularly, in recent years, bioactive peptides from various natural resources have gained increasing attention from researchers [16][17][18].…”