Potential skin protective effects after UVB irradiation afforded by an antioxidant peptide from Odorrana andersonii

Abstract With increasing demand, the development of new natural antioxidants has become a primary direction of scientific research. We previously identified a short gene-encoded peptide (OA-VI12) from Odorrana andersonii frog skin secretions that exerted direct scavenging capacity against free radicals, suggesting a possible function in protecting skin against photodamage caused by their high-altitude habitat. In the current research, we examined the effects of OA-VI12 on both UVB-irradiation and hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress models established with human immortalized keratinocytes. In addition, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the oxidative stress and OA-VI12 groups and further performed transcriptome as well as functional and pathway enrichment analyses. Results showed that OA-VI12 protected cell viability, promoted the release of catalase, and decreased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the peptide promoted the production of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, alleviated epidermis and dermis thickness, and decreased the production of light spots and collagen fibers in skin from the photo-injured mouse model. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to be the most abundant signaling pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the top 55 significantly enriched GO terms mainly involved cellular processes, parts, and binding. These results revealed the beneficial role of the small molecule gene-encoding antioxidant peptide (OA-VI12) and its potential application as a protective agent against photodamage.