Antiphotoaging Effect of Prunus yeonesis Blossom Extract via Inhibition of MAPK/AP‐1 and Regulation of the TGF‐βI/Smad and Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathways

Abstract Cherry blossoms have attracted attention as an ingredient with potential for use in skincare products. However, no skin photoaging‐related research has been performed with this plant. In this study, cherry blossom extract (CBE) at 1, 10 and 100 μg mL −1 was investigated for its skin antiphotoaging effects in UVB‐irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) cells in vitro . Our results showed that CBE markedly increased type‐I procollagen during UVB exposure via two pathways. Firstly, transcription activator protein‐1 expression and MAP kinases were downregulated, consequently reducing the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and MMP‐3. Secondly, transforming growth factor TGF‐βI secretion was upregulated by Smads. Application of CBE facilitated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 against reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐induced damage, which is essential for the coordinated induction of cytoprotective enzymes. Together, our findings suggest that CBE may be a promising ingredient for skin aging therapy and provide a novel approach for alleviating cutaneous aging.