Our daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) results in the production of 
reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipids, proteins and DNA damage and alteration in 
fibroblast structure, thus contributing to skin photoaging. For this reason, the 
use of natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity could be a 
strategic tool to overcome ultraviolet A (UV-A) induced deleterious effect. 
Neferine is an alkaloid extract from the seed embryos of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera 
Gaertn). In the present study, we report the protective effect of neferine 
against UV-A induced oxidative stress and photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts 
(HDFs). HDFs subjected to UV-A irradiation showed increased production of ROS 
and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, it depleted the cellular enzymatic 
antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione 
peroxidase (GPx). On the other hand, HDFs treated with neferine followed by UV-A 
irradiation reversed the process, reduced the ROS and lipid peroxidation and 
restored the antioxidants pool. Moreover, neferine treatment significantly 
inhibited UV-A induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in HDFs. 
Remarkable morphological and ultrastructural alterations observed in HDFs upon 
UV-A irradiation, were also reduced with neferine treatment. Taken together, our 
results suggest that neferine has strong antioxidative and photoprotective 
properties and thus may be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of 
UV-A mediated skin photoaging.