Biochemical and morphological changes of UVB-Irradiated human skin fibroblast (HSF1184) cells on labisia pumila extract

Abstract

Labisia pumila var alata (LPva), or also known as Kacip Fatimah, is a traditional herb that has long been used to cure various ailments. Currently, it is reported to have a good anti-photoaging effect to the skin. However, an extensive research on this plant on anti-photoaging effect has yet to be studied in detail, especially in terms of the biochemical and morphological changes of human skin cells. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the anti-photoaging effects of LPva plant extract on Ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human skin fibroblast cells (HSF1184) and to observe the biochemical and morphological changes. In this study, HSF1184 cells were exposed to UVB irradiation and cultured in media without serum with LPva extract. After the UVB exposure, the changes in biochemical characteristics were investigated, which included cell viability, collagen synthesis, elastin synthesis and cell apoptosis. Finally, the morphological changes of the cells were evaluated using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Result from cytotoxicity test showed that at concentration below than 0.0001 µg/mL, the LPva extract did not cause any toxicity effect to the HSF1184 cells, but at concentration higher than 10 µg/mL, the LPva reduced the viability of the cells. LPva extract was found to significantly increase the collagen and elastin synthesis, and also to decrease the apoptosis activity of the cells, as compared to the control. The microscopic observation through SEM indicated that at the highest concentration (1000 µg/mL) of LPva extract, all cells shrunk and died. Through TEM, this toxic concentration had caused inflammation to the mitochondria and it contained disorganized crystae, which indicated that the cells were programmed to death. Thus, this study revealed both biochemical and morphological changes on the UVB-irradiated HSF1184 cells after the treatment, and the results proved the anti-photoaging effect of LPva extract.