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.

The scientists investigated young, male, hairless mice - genetically  bred for use in dermatology studies because of the physiological  similarities of their skin to that of humans. For eight weeks, the 12  mice were exposed to increasing levels of ultraviolet radiation.