摘要Objective:To evaluate whether α-ionone,an aromatic compound mainly found in raspberries,carrots,roasted almonds,fruits,and herbs,inhibits UVB-mediated photoaging and barrier dysfunction in a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line(HaCaT cells).Methods:The anti-photoaging effect of α-ionone was evaluated by detecting the expression of barrier-related genes and matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)in HaCaT cells.The levels of reactive oxygen species,oxidation product,antioxidant enzyme,and inflammatory factors were further analysed to underline the protective effect of α-ionone on epidermal photoaging.Results:It was found that α-ionone attenuated UVB-induced barrier dysfunction by reversing keratin 1 and filaggrin in HaCaT cells.α-Ionone also reduced the protein amount of MMP-1 and mRNA expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells,implying protective effects on extracellular matrix.Furthermore,HaCaT cells exposed to α-ionone showed significant decreases in interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor-α as compared to UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells.α-Ionone treatment signif-icantly inhibited the UVB-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species increase and malondialdehyde accumulation.Therefore,the beneficial effects of α-ionone on inhibiting MMPs secretion and barrier damage may be related to attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress.Conclusion:Our results highlight the protective effects of α-ionone on epidermal photoaging and pro-mote its clinic application as a potential natural anti-photodamage agent in future.