ArticleMolecular biology reports2026
Photoprotective and genoprotective effects of theophylline against UVB-induced damage in normal human dermal fibroblasts.
Article in Molecular biology reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundUltraviolet-B (UVB) radiation is a principal environmental factor driving cutaneous photoaging and carcinogenesis, primarily by inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. This study investigated the potential of theophylline, a clinically established methylxanthine with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to protect Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) from UVB-induced genotoxic stress.
methodsNHDF cultures were pre-treated for 24 h with theophylline at concentrations of 10–200 micromolar (µM) and subsequently exposed to UVB irradiation (100 mJ/cm²). A comprehensive panel of cellular assays was employed to evaluate cytotoxicity (MTT, LDH, ATP, caspase-3/7 assays), oxidative stress (ROS, MDA, GSH/GSSG ratio, SOD, catalase activity), genotoxicity (Comet and micronucleus assays), mitochondrial function (MMP, NAD⁺/NADH ratio), inflammatory responses (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β), and apoptosis (TUNEL assay).
resultsUVB irradiation induced marked cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and significant DNA damage in NHDF cells. Theophylline pre-treatment significantly attenuated these deleterious effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Specifically, theophylline restored cell viability, preserved mitochondrial function, reduced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, enhanced endogenous antioxidant defenses, suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited DNA damage and apoptosis.
conclusionThe results demonstrate that theophylline confers broad cytoprotective and genoprotective effects against UVB-mediated toxicity in human dermal fibroblasts. By mitigating oxidative stress, stabilizing mitochondrial function, suppressing inflammation, and preventing apoptosis, theophylline shows significant promise as a novel photoprotective agent for mitigating solar-induced skin damage and preventing UVB-mediated genomic instability.
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