Abstract
Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that reacts with skin and induces intracellular oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The antipollution properties of natural extracts, especially including antioxidants, for inhibiting ROS in cells are gaining importance, in addition to the anticancer effects attributed to them. In this study, a commercial functional antipollutant blend of plant extracts consisting of ellagic acid standardized Punica granatum peel extract, Sambucus nigra fruit extract, Prunus cerasus seed extract, and hydrolyzed wheat protein with high antioxidant properties and UV damage-protective properties attributed to each one was investigated. The cytoprotective effect of this functional antipollutant blend was determined by ROS assay through reducing the level of intracellular ROS induced by B[a]P as an oxidative stress factor in human neonatal keratinocytes and fibroblast cells. In addition, the cytoprotective effect of the functional antipollutant blend after UVA exposure was also determined. It is shown that the oxidative damage induced by B[a]P and UVA, which are the most abundant factors of chemical and physical pollution, would be prevented by the functional antipollutant blend. Thus, it can be concluded that this antipollutant functional blend may offer a promising ingredient for the cosmetic industry's skincare products.