Ferulic acid inhibits UV-B–induced oxidative stress in human lymphocytes

UV-B induces lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in mammalian cells by producing reactive oxygen species. In this present study, we report the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid), a dietary antioxidant, on UV-B–induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation using normal human lymphocytes. Treatment of the human peripheral lymphocytes with UV-B irradiation caused a significant (P < .05) depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and GSH peroxidase activities, and increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances. Treatment of human lymphocytes with FA before 30 minutes of irradiation inhibited UV-B–induced lipid peroxidation. Ferulic acid also inhibited UV-B–induced depletion of antioxidant defense components, such as GSH peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and GSH. The maximum dose of FA (10 μg/mL) normalized the UV-B–induced oxidative stress, indicating the protective effect of FA in human peripheral lymphocytes under in vitro conditions against UV-B exposure. Our observations suggest that FA reduces UV-B–induced lipid peroxidation and enhances antioxidant status in human lymphocytes exposed to UV-B radiation, and therefore, FA could serve as a protector against the UV-B–induced pathologic changes.