Among the many health benefits Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) presents, anti-aging is of special interest. Reported to possess anti-aging effects, the CHM Rhodiola rosea L., known colloquially as the “golden root”, has been widely incorporated in various drinks, daily supplements, and even cosmetics. This study investigates the effects of commercial R. rosea extracts on preventing UV-induced photoaging of the skin, and correlates such effects with the composition of active ingredients in the extracts. To simulate the photoaging process, drug-treated HaCaT cells were exposed to UVA and UVB radiation. The pharmacological anti-aging effects of R. rosea extracts were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively through confocal immunofluorescence images with phospho-Histone H2A.X marker and telomerase activity assay (Telo TAGGG Telomerase PCR-ELISA). Preparatory thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were performed to isolate and quantify active ingredients. Cultured HaCaT cells showed morphological change after exposure to both UVA (>15.0 J) and UVB (>2000 mJ). The photoaging of keratinocytes was rescued by pretreating cells with R. rosea extracts as well as salidroside and rosavin active ingredients (P< 0.05). R. rosea-treated cells were characterized by increased telomerase activity and fewer H2A.X stains compared to that of the control. Extracts with better preventative effects contained higher salidroside and rosvain content. The findings in this study reaffirm R. rosea's efficacy as an anti-aging remedy and provide a basis for CHM's integration into the mainstream of global healthcare.

Effects of phenolic compounds isolated from Chinese herbal medicine <i>Rhodiola rosea</i> on preventing photoaging of keratinocytes

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Effects of phenolic compounds isolated from Chinese herbal medicine Rhodiola rosea on preventing photoaging of keratinocytes