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Antioxidants
Volume 15
Issue 2
10.3390/antiox15020180
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Epicatechin Gallate Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging by Inhibiting p38α-Mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress

by
Danni Yang
1,†,
Ru Sun
1,†,
Yulin Cui
1,
Yuqi Li
1,
Huixin Hou
1,
Kouharu Otsuki
2,
Wei Li
2,
Jian Xu
1,
Peipei Zhang
1 and
Jie Zhang
1,*
1
School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
2
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi 274-8510, Chiba, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Antioxidants 2026, 15(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020180
Submission received: 10 December 2025 / Revised: 21 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 January 2026 / Published: 30 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radioprotective Effects of Antioxidants)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is a major extrinsic factor that impairs skin function and accelerates photoaging. In this study, a murine model of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging exhibited characteristic symptoms, including skin roughness, erythema, hyperpigmentation, and increased wrinkle formation. Epicatechin gallate (ECG), a natural flavonoid, has demonstrated potential skin-protective properties. However, its specific effects and mechanisms against UVB-induced photoaging are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the protective role and underlying mechanism of ECG against UVB-induced damage in human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Using network pharmacology, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), specifically the p38α isoform, was identified as a key potential target of ECG. Our experimental results confirmed that ECG significantly attenuated UVB-induced photoaging. Mechanistically, ECG treatment effectively suppressed UVB-triggered phosphorylation of p38α, promoted autophagic flux (as evidenced by increased LC3B conversion and decreased p62 levels), and substantially reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Consequently, ECG mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction, restored normal cell cycle progression, and decreased the expression of senescence-associated markers (p53, p16, p21) and inflammatory cytokines (IL6, TNF-α). In summary, our findings demonstrate that ECG protects against UVB-induced photoaging primarily by inhibiting p38α activation, thereby enhancing autophagy and alleviating oxidative stress. This study positions ECG as a promising therapeutic candidate for preventing and treating skin photoaging.
Keywords: photoaging; UVB; Epicatechin gallate; Oxidative stress; Autophagy photoaging; UVB; Epicatechin gallate; Oxidative stress; Autophagy

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Yang, D.; Sun, R.; Cui, Y.; Li, Y.; Hou, H.; Otsuki, K.; Li, W.; Xu, J.; Zhang, P.; Zhang, J. Epicatechin Gallate Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging by Inhibiting p38α-Mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants 2026, 15, 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020180

AMA Style

Yang D, Sun R, Cui Y, Li Y, Hou H, Otsuki K, Li W, Xu J, Zhang P, Zhang J. Epicatechin Gallate Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging by Inhibiting p38α-Mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants. 2026; 15(2):180. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020180

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yang, Danni, Ru Sun, Yulin Cui, Yuqi Li, Huixin Hou, Kouharu Otsuki, Wei Li, Jian Xu, Peipei Zhang, and Jie Zhang. 2026. "Epicatechin Gallate Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging by Inhibiting p38α-Mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress" Antioxidants 15, no. 2: 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020180

APA Style

Yang, D., Sun, R., Cui, Y., Li, Y., Hou, H., Otsuki, K., Li, W., Xu, J., Zhang, P., & Zhang, J. (2026). Epicatechin Gallate Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging by Inhibiting p38α-Mediated Autophagy and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants, 15(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020180

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