Protective Activity of Alpha-Mangostin against UVB-Induced Injury in HaCaT Cells by Modulating the Ceramide and MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Figure 6

Molecular mechanism of α-MG resisting photoaging. Building on the confirmation of α-MG as an inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), we investigated its downstream mechanisms. After UVB irradiation of HaCaT cells, intracellular ceramide levels increased, leading to the activation of downstream MAPK and NF-κB pathways (phosphorylation of related proteins). This resulted in an increase in apoptosis-related protein expression (increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 content) and inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), inducing cellular photoaging. The administration of α-MG could reverse these effects. The abovementioned results indicate that α-MG plays an antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory role through ceramide, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling pathways, highlighting its potential to protect the skin from UVB-induced photoaging.