Boric acid preserves keratinocyte viability, migration, and redox homeostasis under hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 94 - 100, 20.02.2026

Burcu Biltekin , Şeyma Dümür , Naile Fevziye Mısırlıoğlu , Hafize Uzun

https://izlik.org/JA55LM75EA

Abstract

Aims: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in keratinocyte dysfunction, impaired wound healing, and inflammatory skin conditions. Boric acid (BA), a bioactive trace element, has been suggested to exert cytoprotective and antioxidant effects; however, its impact on keratinocytes under oxidative stress conditions remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BA on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)–induced oxidative damage in HaCaT keratinocytes by evaluating cell viability, migration capacity, three-dimensional spheroid formation, and oxidative stress–related biomarkers.
Methods: HaCaT cells were exposed to different concentrations of H₂O₂ and BA, either alone or in combination, for 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Cell migration was evaluated by an in vitro scratch assay, while spheroid area and diameter were measured in a three-dimensional culture model.
Results: BA and H₂O₂ induced marked time- and dose-dependent effects on HaCaT cells. At 24 h, high-dose BA (50–100 μM) significantly reduced cell viability (p=0.004 and p=0.014), whereas low-dose BA had no effect (p>0.05). Exposure to 50 μM H₂O₂ decreased viability (p<0.01), while 100 μM H₂O₂ was ineffective (p<0.855). Selected H₂O₂+BA combinations further reduced viability (p≤0.022). At 48 h, BA alone did not affect viability, whereas 100 μM H₂O₂ and most combined treatments induced significant cytotoxicity (p<0.001). H₂O₂ impaired cell migration, while BA significantly enhanced wound closure. BA co-treatment markedly improved migration in oxidatively stressed cells (p<0.001) and restored spheroid size and compactness in three-dimensional cultures. Oxidative stress biomarkers showed minimal changes at 24 h. At 48 h, AOPP levels were significantly altered by H₂O₂, BA, and all combined treatments (p<0.001). BA alone reduced MDA levels (p≤0.017), while CAT activity was significantly modulated by H₂O₂ and H₂O₂+BA combinations (p≤0.0057). TSH levels remained largely unchanged.
Conclusion: BA exerts protective effects against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in HaCaT keratinocytes by preserving cell viability, migration, and structural organization. These findings suggest that BA may have therapeutic potential in protecting keratinocytes from oxidative stress–related damage and warrant further mechanistic and translational investigations.

Keywords

Boric acid , oxidative stress , HaCaT keratinocytes , hydrogen peroxide , cell migration , spheroid formation , cytoprotection , wound healing

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