Olive oil inhibits ageing signs induced by chronic stress in ex vivo human skin via inhibition of extracellular-signal-related kinase 1/2 and c-JUN pathways.

OBJECTIVE

Chronic stress-induced oxidative damage and protease synthesis cause a loss of extracellular matrix components promoting human skin ageing. The administration of antioxidant compounds, such as those observed in olive oil, may attenuate stress-induced ageing signs in human skin. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of olive oil administration in ex vivo stressed human skin.

METHODS

Explants of human skin were treated with high levels of epinephrine (as observed in stressed patients) and olive oil in medium for 13 days. Cultures treated with medium alone were used as controls.

RESULTS

Olive oil reversed the high epinephrine level-induced reduction in epidermis and dermis thickness and collagen fibre content in ex vivo human skin. The increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels (an index of lipid peroxidation) promoted by high levels of epinephrine were also attenuated by olive oil in ex vivo human skin. Moreover, olive oil was able to reverse the high epinephrine level-induced increase in extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and c-JUN (a major component of transcription factor AP-1) phosphorylation and protein matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression in ex vivo human skin.

CONCLUSION

Olive oil attenuates stress-induced ageing signs (thinner dermis and collagen fibre loss) in ex vivo human skin by reducing MMP-2 expression, ROS production, and ERK 1/2 and c-JUN phosphorylation.