Research Article

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells

Volume: 30 Number: 2 March 15, 2026

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells

Abstract

This study investigated the photoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on HaCaT cells irradiated with ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Urolithin A showed no toxic effects on HaCaT cells at concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 μM, and the survival rate of UVB-damaged HaCaT cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner when pre-treated with urolithin A. The test results confirmed that urolithin A conferred protective effects on HaCaT cells. The cellular activity of urolithin A in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells was investigated using reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging assay, antioxidant, pro-inflammatory and anti-aging gene expression. Urolithin A pre-treatment scavenged ROS in a concentration-dependent manner and suppressed UVB-induced cellular senescence. Gene expression analysis also showed that urolithin A increased antioxidant and anti-aging gene expressions and decreased pro-inflammatory gene expressions, suggesting that urolithin A protects HaCaT cells against UVB-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, our results support the antioxidant properties of urolithin A as observed in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and also confirm the photoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects of urolithin A. Urolithin A, as a natural phytochemical, can be used as a cosmetic ingredient due to its anti-aging and protective properties.

Keywords

Project Number

TLO-2023-10610

Ethical Statement

Not applicable for this study.

Thanks

This research was financially supported in part by the Office of Scientific Research Projects of Van Yuzuncu Yil University under Grant number (TLO-2023-10610).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmaceutical Biochemistry

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 15, 2026

Submission Date

May 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 30 Number: 2

APA
Berköz, M., & Açıkgöz, G. (2026). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(2), 681-692. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1701142
AMA
1.Berköz M, Açıkgöz G. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(2):681-692. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1701142
Chicago
Berköz, Mehmet, and Güneş Açıkgöz. 2026. “Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Aging Effects of Urolithin A on UVB-Induced HaCaT Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (2): 681-92. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1701142.
EndNote
Berköz M, Açıkgöz G (March 1, 2026) Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 2 681–692.
IEEE
[1]M. Berköz and G. Açıkgöz, “Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 681–692, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.12991/jrespharm.1701142.
ISNAD
Berköz, Mehmet - Açıkgöz, Güneş. “Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Aging Effects of Urolithin A on UVB-Induced HaCaT Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/2 (March 1, 2026): 681-692. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1701142.
JAMA
1.Berköz M, Açıkgöz G. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:681–692.
MLA
Berköz, Mehmet, and Güneş Açıkgöz. “Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Aging Effects of Urolithin A on UVB-Induced HaCaT Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 681-92, doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1701142.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Berköz, Güneş Açıkgöz. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of urolithin A on UVB-induced HaCaT cells. J. Res. Pharm. 2026 Mar. 1;30(2):681-92. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1701142