Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice
Open accessAbstract
We recently reported that exposure of skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation for 2 weeks induces stress and accelerates skin aging. Interestingly, aldosterone synthase is known to be crucial in generating UVB-induced stress-related responses, suggesting that drugs that regulate its activity can be used as skin antiaging agents. Through extensive drug screening, we have identified 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), a steroidal prohormone secreted by the prothoracic glands of insects, as a potent inhibitor of UVB-induced aging. Although 20E has been shown to exert antistress and anti-collagenase effects in vitro, its effects in vivo remain unexplored. Furthermore, the pharmacological and physiological effects of 20E on UVB-mediated photoaging are poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of 20E on aldosterone synthase and UVB-induced photoaging and skin lesions in hairless mice, focusing on the stress-related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We confirmed that 20E inhibited aldosterone synthase and reduced corticosterone levels. When applied to a UV-induced skin aging animal model, it ameliorated UV-induced stress and protected against the decrease in collagen levels. Importantly, when the aldosterone synthase inhibitor osilodrostat, an FDA-approved drug, was applied to the UV-induced skin aging model, the stress-reducing and antiaging effects of 20E were not observed. Thus, we conclude that 20E inhibits UVB-induced skin aging by blocking aldosterone synthase and is a potential candidate to prevent skin aging.
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In hairless mice, 20E ameliorated the stress effect on the pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal axis in UVB-induced photoaging.
“The counteraction with GC has been largely clarified by a study on hairless mice where 20E was found ameliorating the stress effect on the pituitary–hypothalamic–adrenal axis in UVB-induced photoaging [36].”
From Molecular Targets of 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Mammals, Mechanism of Action: Is It a Calorie Restriction Mimetic and Anti-Aging Compound? (2025) · cites this paper as [36]
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“The counteraction with GC has been largely clarified by a study on hairless mice where 20E was found ameliorating the stress effect on the pituitary– hypothalamic–adrenal axis in UVB-induced photoaging [36].”
- Authors
- Lim, H.-S., Yoon, K., Lee, D. H., Lee, Y.-S., Chung, J. H., & Park, G.
- Affiliations
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KR)
- Seoul National University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Park, Gunhyuk
- Venue
- Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-08
- Volume
- 164
- Pages
- 114899
- ISSN
- 0753-3322 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4377819349
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 2.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
- Ministry of Health and Welfare (HP20C0220, KSN1822320)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Keywords
- 20-hydroxyecdysone, UVB-induced photoaging, aldosterone synthase inhibition, osilodrostat, corticosterone, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, skin aging, collagen, stress response, hairless mice, anti-aging agents
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Ecdysterone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Mice, Hairless, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Skin, Ultraviolet Rays, Skin Aging, Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2, Mice
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