Fisetin Regulates Nrf2 Expression and the Inflammation-Related Signaling Pathway to Prevent UVB-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice

Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UVB) radiation damages the skin barrier, triggers oxidative stress, and drives the degradation of collagen, ultimately resulting in premature aging and wrinkle formation. Because UVB exposure deeply impacts skin structure through inflammation, targeted antioxidants are frequently explored as preventative treatments.

In this study, researchers investigated whether applying fisetin topically could protect the skin of hairless mice from UVB-induced damage over a 10-week period. They measured physical markers of skin aging like wrinkle formation and water loss, alongside cellular markers of inflammation and tissue degradation.

The findings demonstrated that topically applied fisetin significantly preserved skin barrier function and prevented UVB-induced epidermal thickening and collagen loss. Fisetin achieved this by blocking the inflammatory signals that break down the extracellular matrix and simultaneously boosting the body's natural antioxidant defense mechanisms.