Advances in natural products with anti-skin photoaging: mechanisms, phytochemical diversity, and therapeutic potential
摘要
Skin photoaging, a multifaceted dermatological disorder induced by chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, manifests through structural and functional alterations across morphological, histological, and molecular dimensions. UV irradiation disrupts genomic integrity and intracellular homeostasis, driving pathological cascades that accelerate cutaneous aging. Emerging evidence underscores the photoprotective efficacy of natural products—including polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, terpenoids, and alkaloids—in mitigating photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. These phytochemicals, characterized by their diverse origins, favorable safety profiles, and multi-target mechanisms, modulate oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and extracellular matrix degradation. This review systematically synthesizes current insights into UV-induced skin damage pathways and natural product-based interventions. It further delineates their molecular targets and therapeutic potential. By bridging phytochemical discovery with translational applications, this work provides a foundational framework for developing novel anti-photoaging cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
Graphical abstract