BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) 
results in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus altering the 
cellular function. The human epidermal skin layer is mainly composed of 
keratinocytes, which is damaged by UV-B radiation-induced intracellular 
oxidative stress. Neferine is an alkaloid extract from lotus seed embryos and is 
known to promote antioxidant activity.
OBJECTIVE: In this study for the first time, we investigated the photoprotective 
action of neferine, against UV-B-produced oxidative damage in human epidermal 
keratinocytes (HEKs).
METHODS: We established an in Vitro study model using HEKs. Cellular viability 
was determined by MMT assay kits. The intracellular oxidative stress was 
measured using ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay kits. Endogenous antioxidants 
were measured by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 
assay kits. Photoprotective nature of neferine was further evaluated by 
analyzing the morphological and ultrastructural alterations in keratinocytes.
RESULTS: Neferine inhibit the UV-B-mediated increase in ROS and MDA levels in 
pretreated keratinocytes. The antioxidants, SOD and GPx activities were 
significantly high in neferine pretreated UV-B groups. Mitochondrial and 
endoplasmic reticulum damage were less evident in neferine-pretreated UV-B 
groups as compared with the control group, which might be associated with 
reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that neferine can prevent 
UV-B-induced oxidative damage and may thus be a potential agent for prevention 
and treatment of skin damage and photoaging.