Oleanolic Acid Protects the Skin from Particulate Matter-Induced Aging

The role of particulate matter (PM) in health problems including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and pneumonia is becoming increasingly clear. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, major components of PM, bind to aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhRs) and promote the expression of CYP1A1 through the AhR pathway in keratinocytes. Activation of AhRs in skin cells is associated with cell differentiation in keratinocytes and inflammation, resulting in dermatological lesions. Oleanolic acid, a natural component of L. lucidum, also has anti-inflammation, anticancer, and antioxidant characteristics. Previously, we found that PM₁₀ induced the AhR signaling pathway and autophagy process in keratinocytes. Here, we investigated the effects of oleanolic acid on PM₁₀-induced skin aging. We observed that oleanolic acid inhibits PM₁₀-induced CYP1A1 and decreases the increase of tumor necrosis factor- alpha and interleukin 6 induced by PM₁₀. A supernatant derived from keratinocytes cotreated with oleanolic acid and PM₁₀ inhibited the release of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in dermal fibroblasts. Also, the AhR-mediated autophagy disruption was recovered by oleanolic acid. Thus, oleanolic acid may be a potential treatment for addressing PM₁₀-induced skin aging.

Keywords: AhR; Autophagy; MMP-1; Oleanolic acid; PM; TNF-α.