The effect of cloud ear mushroom extracts on UVB-induced HaCaT damages

Global warming influences the incidence of skin damage caused by UV exposure, including sunburn, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and skin cancer. UVB radiation is recognized as the primary contributor to oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and photoaging in the skin. Strategies for preventing and treating photoaging typically involve anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory approaches [ 1 ]. Notably, many natural products exhibit these properties and have been commercialized in the market. The cloud ear mushroom ( Auricularia polytricha ), an edible fungus, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties [ 2 ] [ 3 ]. However, the study on the protective effects of cloud ear mushroom extracts against UVB-induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells remains limited. This study investigated UVB-induced cytotoxicity at various doses (15, 30, 60, and 90 mJ/cm 2 ) in HaCaT cells. The results demonstrated that exposure to 15 mJ/cm 2 of UVB radiation caused significant cytotoxicity and generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells after 24 hours of post-exposure. Subsequently, HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB and treated with cloud ear mushroom extracts (hexane, ethanol, and water). Among the tested extracts, the water extract (100 μg/mL) significantly reduced oxidative stress and cell death in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis assay also confirmed the protective effects of the cloud ear mushroom on UVB-induced cell death. These findings suggest that the cloud ear mushroom exhibits protective effects against UVB-induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells and holds potential for further investigation into its molecular mechanisms related to photoaging. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany