Ginsenoside Rb2 Attenuates UV-B Radiation-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 through Upregulation of Antioxidant Components in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

AIMS: The antiphotoaging activities of ginsenoside Rb2 on the skin, one of the predominant protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, were evaluated in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.
METHODS: The antiphotoaging activity was examined by analyzing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as well as cell viability for fibroblasts under UV-B irradiation.
RESULTS: When cultured fibroblasts were exposed to Rb2 prior to UV-B irradiation, Rb2 displayed suppressive activities on UV-B-induced ROS elevation and MMP-2 on both activity and protein levels, while it exhibited an enhancing activity on total GSH level and SOD activity diminished by UV-B irradiation. However, Rb2 could not interfere with cell viabilities in UV-B-irradiated fibroblasts.
CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rb2 plays a photoprotective role against UV-B-induced oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts, which implies its skin antiphotoaging potential.