Cited by 9Skin Protection and Agingmelanin and skin pigmentationMedicinal Plant Research

Mechanisms and Therapeutic Roles of Medicinal Plants in Skin Photoaging

Open access
Lei, Xinxin·2025·Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

Abstract

Photoaging refers to the cumulative skin damage primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This process results in the harmful effects of UV irradiation on skin cells, leading to alterations in the extracellular matrix, which consequently impacts the appearance and function of the skin. This review aims to elucidate how bioactive compounds from medicinal plants counteract UV-induced damage, as identified by current mechanistic and molecular studies. Over the past few decades, medicinal plants have garnered increasing attention for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating various human diseases. Numerous studies have explored the anti-photoaging properties of herbal remedies, revealing that various active compounds, extracts, and combinations of medicinal plants can mitigate photoaging in different skin cells through diverse signaling pathways. Compared to synthetic agents, herbal remedies offer lower toxicity profiles and are often perceived as safer alternatives, making them attractive options for long-term skin care and photoaging prevention. These findings suggest that herbal plants can reduce UV-induced skin damage primarily by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and inflammatory mediators, while simultaneously promoting collagen synthesis. The underlying mechanisms of these effects are associated with key cellular pathways, including MAPK, NF-κB, Nrf2, and TGF-β/Smad. These findings suggest that herbal plants can reduce UV-induced skin damage by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and inflammatory mediators, while promoting collagen synthesis. This review provides novel insight into cell-specific mechanisms by which medicinal plants mitigate photoaging, laying the groundwork for their potential therapeutic application.

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  1. [91]Asaruddin MR, Honda G, Tsubouchi A, Nakajima-Shimada J, Aoki T, Kiuchi F. Trypanocidal constituents from Michelia alba. Nat Med. 2003; 57(2): 61– 63.
  2. [137]Asgarpanah J, Saati S. An overview on phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Rhus coriaria L. Res J Pharmacogn. 2014; 1(3): 47– 54.

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Authors
Lei, X.
Venue
Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
Published
2025-07
Volume
Volume 18
Pages
1709-1726
ISSN
1178-7015 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4412195175
Cited by
9
References
150
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 1
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Medicinal Plant Research
Keywords
photoaging, medicinal plants, herbal medicine, ultraviolet radiation, reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinases, collagen synthesis, skin extracellular matrix, NF-κB signaling, Nrf2 signaling, MAPK signaling, TGF-β/Smad signaling, skin inflammation

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