Protective Effects of Duchesnea chrysantha Ethanol Extract Against UVB-Induced Skin Damage via Modulation of TAK1-Associated Signaling Pathways.

Duchesnea chrysantha (Zoll. & Moritzi) Miq. (Rosaceae) has traditionally been used in East Asian medicine for inflammatory and skin-related disorders. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and protective effects of D. chrysantha ethanol extract (Dc-EE) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage. Untargeted LC-MS/MS analysis tentatively annotated various phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Dc-EE reduced UVB-induced oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species production, and apoptosis in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and dermal fibroblasts (HDF). It also suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9) in HaCaT cells while restoring collagen type I alpha 1 expression in HDF cells. In addition, Dc-EE enhanced the expression of skin barrier- and hydration-related factors, including filaggrin, transglutaminase-1, and hyaluronan synthase-2. Dc-EE attenuated UVB-induced MAPK signaling by reducing JNK, ERK, and p38 phosphorylation, together with AP-1 and NF-κB transcriptional activities. Reduced activation of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1, an upstream stress-responsive regulator, was also observed. These findings indicate that Dc-EE attenuates UVB-induced cellular damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-related effects, supporting its potential for skin protection.