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

Abstract

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.