Vanillin and Colostrum-Derived Exosome Combination Therapy Against In Vitro UVB Photoaging on HDF-1 Cell Line

INTRODUCTION: In vitro studies indicate that UV radiation causes photoaging in the skin through oxidative stress, collagen destruction, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation. These models play a critical role in the development of anti-aging therapies. The study aimed to investigate the anti-photoaging effects of the combination therapy of vanillin and colostrum-derived exosomes on UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblast cells.
METHODS: UVB-exposed HDF-1 cells were treated with vanillin (30 µM) and colostrum exosomes (0.1 mg/mL) to assess cell viability and total antioxidant capacity. MMP-1 and procollagen type-1 levels were measured by ELISA, and cell nucleus morphology was examined by DAPI staining.

RESULTS: Cell viability increased in UVB-irradiated HDF-1 cells in the vanillin and vanillin+exosomes groups (p<0.05). Following UVB exposure, a decrease in procollagen type 1 and antioxidant levels and increased MMP-1 levels were observed in HDF-1 cells (p<0.05). Vanillin+exosome treatment was associated with decreased MMP-1 expression in HDF-1 cells and increased collagen production (p<0.05). Increased antioxidant activity, which UVB suppressed, was observed in the vanillin+exosome group (p<0.05). Furthermore, irregular nuclear shapes (signs of apoptosis) were observed in UVB-damaged cells, while near-normal nuclear morphology and a decrease in nuclear fragmentation were observed after vanillin+exosome treatment.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The combination of vanillin and colostrum-derived exosomes showed synergistic effects on skin damage and anti‑photoaging by triggering antioxidant activity and increasing collagen synthesis.

Keywords: dermal fibroblast, exosome, photoaging, vanillin, colostrum.