Antiaging properties of chlorogenic acid through protein and gene biomarkers in human skin fibroblast cells as photoaging model

Background and purpose: Chlorogenic acid (CA) is a natural chemical that promises antiaging activity against photoaging skin damage. This research examined CA activities in mitigating skin photoaging. Experimental approach: UV-exposed human skin fibroblast cells were subjected to CA at 6.25, 12.5, and 25 μg/mL. The protein levels of cell secretion, such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured using ELISA and colorimetry methods. Meanwhile, the mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase (GPX)-1, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, caspase (CASP)-3, CASP-8, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 were quantified using the qRT-PCR method. Findings/Results: CA treatment reduced inflammatory and aging biomarkers. CA at 6.25 μg/mL lowered NO, COX-2, and IL-6 levels to 89.44 μmol/L, 8.10 ng/mL, and 62.75 pg/mL, respectively. CA at 25 μg/mL resulted in the most significant down-regulation of MMP-1, CASP-3, and CASP-8 genes' expression (3.27, 1.25, and 3.59, respectively). Furthermore, treatment with CA at 25 μg/mL demonstrated the most notable activity in up-regulating antioxidant markers, specifically GPX-1, and extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity markers, including TIMP-1 and FGF-2 genes' expression. Conclusion: CA imposes its anti-aging activity by decreasing inflammatory and aging biomarkers, and increasing cellular antioxidant and ECM integrity.