Ellagic acid reduces UV damage in mice

Using a topical application of ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in berries, South Korean researchers markedly prevented collagen  destruction and inflammatory response - a major cause of wrinkles - in  both human skin cells and the sensitive skin of hairless mice following  continuing exposure to UV-B, the sun's skin-damaging ultraviolet rays.

Scientists from the Hallym University in South Korea found that, in  human skin cells, ellagic acid worked to protect against UV damage by  blocking production of MMP - matrix metalloproteinase enzymes that break  down collagen in damaged skin cells - and by reducing the expression of  ICAM, a molecule involved in inflammation.