Determining the ability of phycocyanin to protect skin in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Phycocyanin (PC) is an antioxidative protein with blue color. PC occupies 10% of the biomass of Arthrospira platensis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the ability of PC to protect skin from harmful agents. Human fibroblasts (hF) were incubated in the culture medium containing PC (0.1 - 10 µg/ml) one day before treating with 150µM H₂O₂ for 90 minutes. Four days after treatment, cell shape and expression of a biomarker of senescence, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-gal), were determined. Mus musculus var. albino was used in in vivo experiment. Shaved dorsal skin was topically applied with PC 50 µg/ml 03 hours prior to UV irradiation. The treatment was performed 06 times per week for 08 weeks. After that, skin texture and histology were determined. The results showed that 10 µg/ml PC relieved the harmful effect of H₂O₂ on hF. In this group, the hF remained elongated shape similar to in the control group and the expression of SA-gal in cells was lower than in the H₂O₂ group (27.1 ± 6.1%). After 08 weeks, dorsal skin treated with PC prior to UV treatment was still smooth with fewer wrinkles, and the skin’s structure was similar to the control. Conclusion: phycocyanin can protect skin from environmental factors in vitro and in vivo.