Cimicifuga racemosa extract Ze 450 mitigates UVB-induced oxidative damage in mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Introduction Ultraviolet B (UVB) is considered to be the most damaging part of sunlight, causing erythema, sunburn, accelerating skin ageing and ultimately leading to skin cancer. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to UVB-mediated cellular impairments through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage all components of the cell. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying UV light-mediated skin ageing may help to identify protective strategies preventing such oxidative toxicity. Cimicifuga racemosa extracts are traditionally used to treat menopausal complaints but might also be beneficial for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular resilience in conditions of oxidative cell damage. Among other findings, it was shown that Cimicifuga extract Ze 450 modulates mitochondrial metabolism towards a glycolytic phenotype, thereby reducing (mitochondrial) ROS generation under oxidative stress conditions.

Aim This study investigates how cell damage caused by UVB irradiation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts is mediated by reactive oxygen species and whether Ze 450 attenuates the excess of free radicals to protect the cells from oxidative stress.

Method Fibroblastic cells were exposed to UVB radiation and afterwards the influence of Cimicifuga racemosa extract on cell death, lipid peroxidation and senescence associated regulation of β-galactosidase was analysed using fluorescence-activated cell scanning (FACS). To understand the underlying cell death mechanisms, these effects were further compared to different inhibitors of apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Results Cimicifuga extract Ze 450 mitigated UVB-induced cell death in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, which could also be prevented by inhibition of caspases and Bid, and partially by a p53-inhibitor, which previously were demonstrated to block ferroptosis and apoptosis at the level of mitochondria.

Conclusion Our results provide evidence that Ze 450 exerts beneficial effects on UV light-induced oxidative cell damage in fibroblasts suggesting a protective potential of Cimicifuga extract against age- and UV light-related skin damage.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 June 2022