The repairing effects and mechanism of selenium-modified Bletilla striata polysaccharides on UVB-damaged skin: Based on animal experiments and biochemical analyses

  • Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 Apr:354:151400. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151400.
Ji Chen  1 ,  LiPing Jiang  2 ,  LinHong Li  3 ,  LiJuan Wu  2 ,  Yan Zheng  4 ,  Yao Liu  2 ,  Yu Sun  2 ,  Lei Xie  2 ,  MengLiang Tian  5
Affiliations
  • 1. College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2. College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130, Chengdu, China.
  • 3. Leshan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Leshan, 614000, China.
  • 4. Department of Medical Plastic and Cosmetic, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu (The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University), College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, Sichuan, China.
  • 5. College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41825665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151400
Abstract

Photoaging, a common skin problem caused by UVB radiation, has attracted significant attention. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of selenium-enriched Bletilla striata Polysaccharides (Se-BSPs) in alleviating UVB-induced photoaging. Sodium selenite (25 μM Na₂SeO₃) was foliarly applied to enhance polysaccharide yield and selenium enrichment. In vivo experiments with UVB-irradiated mouse models were conducted. The results showed that foliar application of sodium selenite significantly increased polysaccharide yield and selenium enrichment in neutral Polysaccharides with structural modifications. In vivo, Se-BSPs (3% dose) restored epidermal thickness, suppressed oxidative stress markers (ROS and MDA), downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), activated SOD expression, inhibited MMP-13-mediated Collagen degradation, and normalized Collagen fiber alignment. These findings demonstrate that Se-BSPs are novel multifunctional agents for combating photoaging through synergistic redox homeostasis restoration and NF-κB pathway modulation. This study suggests the potential of Se-BSPs as a promising treatment option for photoaging, and future studies are needed to further explore the mechanisms and clinical applications of Se-BSPs.

Keywords
Antioxidant activity; Selenium-modified Bletilla striata polysaccharides; UVB-induced photoaging.
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