Research on the antioxidant and anti-photoaging properties of cerium oxide

ZUO Lichao; BAO Yuanyuan; QU Zhaohui; WU Ke; LI Shujing; LI Xiaozhen; MENG Hong; HE Yifan

doi:10.12187/2025.06.012

Abstract：[Objective]To systematically evaluate the antioxidant properties of cerium oxide and elucidate its protective efficacy against UVA-and simulated sunlight-induced photoaging.[Methods]The antioxidant properties of cerium oxide were assessed through DPPH·,superoxide anion(O2-·),and hydroxyl radical(·OH)scavenging assays.Its recyclable antioxidant capacity was evaluated using an H2O2 recycling scavenging assay.In vitro photodamage models were established in human skin fibroblasts(HFF-1)using UVA irradiation and a solar simulator,followed by measurements of cellular viability and expression levels of type Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ)and type Ⅲ(COL-Ⅲ)collagen.[Results]Cerium oxide exhibited significant antioxidant capacity.At a concentration of 6 mg/mL,it showed scavenging efficiencies of 83.42％,30.29％,and 48.50％for DPPH·,O2-·,and·OH radicals respectively.After three H2O2 recycling cycles,these efficiencies remained above 90％,confirming excellent recyclable antioxidant properties.Compared to the negative control,cerium oxide at 0.078 mg/mL increased HFF-1 cell viability by 38.78％under UVA irradiation.At this concentration,COL-Ⅰ expression showed a 77.0-fold increase relative to the control group.In simulated sunlight-induced damage,cerium oxide at 0.039 mg/mL increased COL-Ⅲ expression to 14.06 ng/mL,representing a 1.5-fold increase compared to the negative control group.[Conclusion]Cerium oxide demonstrates potent recyclable radical scavenging properties.By upregulating COL-Ⅰ and COL-Ⅲ expression,it significantly mitigates UVA-and simulated sunlight-induced photoaging damage in HFF-1 cells,indicating considerable potential for development as a novel antioxidant and anti-photoaging active ingredient.