Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2012; 10(3): 541-547.
Anti-oxidant Function of Genistein against H2O2-induced Oxidative Stress in HaCaT Keratinocytes
ABSTRACT
The nutri-cosmetics was defined as a nutraceuticals which can exert the function, beauty and the structure
of the skin. Genistein has been reported to possess potent pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant
properties. However, the physiological role and its underlying molecular mechanisms of genistein in H2O2-
treated HaCaT keratinocytes are unknown. In this study, we examined the cellular anti-oxidant activity of
genistein against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. The cellular anti-oxidant activity
of genistein was assessed in HaCaT cells as judged by the 2’7’-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA)-
based assay and image analysis using fluorescence microscopy. Genistein dose-dependently and effectively
ameliorate the H2O2-induced oxidative stress of HaCaT keratinocytes. We further revealed that the cellular
anti-oxidant activity of genistein mediated by activating of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the
central transcriptional factor for expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-
1). Taken together, our results indicate that the activation of Nrf2 signaling is required for cellular anti-oxidant
activity of genistein. These findings provide the scientific evidences for the development of Nrf2 targeted nutricosmetics.
Keywords :
Genistein, Nutri-cosmetics, Anti-oxidant activity, HaCaT keratinocytes, Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2
