Food science and biotechnologyNov 10, 2025

Vaccinium oldhamii Fruit Extract Protects Skin Cells from Pollution Damage

Updated Jan 1, 2026

Abstract

Ethanol extract from Vaccinium oldhamii (VOE) reversed a decrease in cell viability caused by fine particulate matter (PM).

VOE inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful molecules that can cause cell damage.
Downregulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by VOE contributed to reduced lipid peroxidation.
The extract diminished PM-induced activation of inflammatory pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).
VOE significantly reduced PM-triggered autophagy activation and apoptosis in human skin cells.
The findings indicate that VOE may act as a protective agent against oxidative stress and inflammation linked to PM exposure.

Simplified

UNLABELLED: Environmental pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM) has become increasingly severe. PMeasily penetrates the skin and causes oxidative damage and inflammatory skin diseases, resulting in skin cell death. In this study, we elucidated the protective effect ofethanol extract (VOE) against PM-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in human keratinocytes. The results showed that VOE reversed PM-induced decrease in cell viability. VOE strongly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by downregulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), thereby reducing lipid peroxidation. VOE attenuated PM-induced upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. In addition, VOE markedly reduced PM-induced autophagy activation and apoptosis. Overall, VOE prevented PM-induced apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation and mitigating inflammation and autophagy activation. These results suggest the potential of VOE as an effective anti-pollution agent capable of preventing oxidative stress and inflammation caused by PM2.5. 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5Vaccinium oldhamii

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-025-01983-z.

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Conflict of interestsThe authors declare that there are no conflict of interest.

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