Sauchinone attenuates UVB-induced photoaging by suppressing oxidative stress and ferroptosis through activation of the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway in dermal fibroblasts

CONTEXT: , possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its protective effects and underlying mechanisms against UVB-induced skin damage remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the potential photoprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of sauchinone against UVB-induced skin damage in dermal fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: model of photoaging. Cellular senescence, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis were evaluated using fluorescence staining, flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, and western blot analysis. RESULTS: accumulation, and normalized ACSL4, GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11 expression. Mechanistically, sauchinone was associated with activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, as evidenced by decreased Keap1 levels, enhanced nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and upregulation of downstream antioxidant genes. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2 using ML385 partially reversed the protective effects of sauchinone on oxidative stress, ferroptosis, cellular senescence, and ECM degradation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that sauchinone protected fibroblasts against UVB-induced photoaging by inhibiting oxidative stress and ferroptosis, potentially through activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.