Molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols with protective effects against skin photoaging.

TitleMolecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols with protective effects against skin photoaging.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsRoh, E, Kim, J-E, Kwon, JYeon, Park, JSeong, Bode, AM, Dong, Z, Lee, KWon
JournalCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr
Volume57
Issue8
Pagination1631-1637
Date Published2017 May 24
ISSN1549-7852
KeywordsAntioxidants, Humans, Immune Tolerance, Polyphenols, Skin Aging, Tea, Ultraviolet Rays
Abstract

Whereas green tea has historically been consumed in high quantities in Northeast Asia, its popularity is also increasing in many Western countries. Green tea is an abundant source of plant polyphenols exhibiting numerous effects that are potentially beneficial for human health. Accumulating evidence suggests that green tea polyphenols confer protective effects on the skin against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced acceleration of skin aging, involving antimelanogenic, antiwrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects as well as prevention of immunosuppression. Melanin pigmentation in the skin is a major defense mechanism against UV irradiation, but pigmentation abnormalities such as melasma, freckles, senile lentigines, and other forms of melanin hyperpigmentation can also cause serious health and aesthetic issues. Furthermore, UV irradiation initiates the degradation of fibrillar collagen and elastic fibers, promoting the process of skin aging through deep wrinkle formation and loss of tissue elasticity. UV irradiation-induced formation of free radicals also contributes to accelerated photoaging. Additionally, immunosuppression caused by UV irradiation plays an important role in photoaging and skin carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current literature regarding the antimelanogenic, antiwrinkle, antioxidant, and immunosuppression preventive mechanisms of green tea polyphenols that have been demonstrated to protect against UV irradiation-stimulated skin photoaging, and gauge the quality of evidence supporting the need for clinical studies using green tea polyphenols as anti-photoaging agents in novel cosmeceuticals.

DOI10.1080/10408398.2014.1003365
Alternate JournalCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr
PubMed ID26114360