Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide alleviates UVB-induced solar dermatitis in association with macrophage immunomodulation

  • Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 Jun 11:152898. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152898.
Wenxi Yu  1 ,  Jingjing Li  2 ,  Yingying Huang  3 ,  Liangzhi Xu  4 ,  Jun Chen  5 ,  Bingxian Sha  6 ,  Yunyao Li  7 ,  Gang Huang  8 ,  Mingming Jin  9
Affiliations
  • 1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 3. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 4. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, No. 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 7. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 8. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 9. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Pudong Gongli Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 42276470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152898
Abstract

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation contributes to solar dermatitis by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin barrier disruption. Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide (POP) possesses documented immunomodulatory properties, but its role in UVB-induced solar dermatitis remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the photoprotective effects of POP using macrophage-based assays, keratinocyte co-culture systems, and a mouse model of UVB-induced solar dermatitis. POP skewed macrophages toward an M2-like phenotype and modulated their inflammatory responses. Furthermore, POP-conditioned macrophages attenuated oxidative stress in UVB-injured keratinocytes and enhanced their proliferation and migration. In vivo, topical application of POP ameliorated UVB-induced skin damage and barrier dysfunction; these protective effects were markedly attenuated following macrophage depletion. Collectively, our findings suggest that POP alleviates UVB-induced solar dermatitis, at least in part, through macrophage-mediated immunomodulation, supporting its further exploration as a natural candidate for photoprotective intervention.

Keywords
Macrophage polarization (M2 phenotype); Portulaca oleracea polysaccharides (POPs); Solar dermatitis Immunomodulation.
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