Cycloheterophyllin has an antioxidant effect, it is a photoprotective agent that inhibits ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced oxidative stress and damage, and could be used in the research on and prevention of skin photoaging.

Extending the aforementioned investigations, in this study, human dermal fibroblasts were used to investigate the protective effect of Cycloheterophyllin against UV-induced damage. We found that Cycloheterophyllin not only significantly increased cell viability, but also attenuated the phosphorylation of MAPK after UVA exposure. Furthermore, Cycloheterophyllin could reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation and down-regulate H2O2-induced MAPK phosphorylation. In the in vivo studies, the topical application of Cycloheterophyllin before UVA irradiation significantly decreased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, and blood flow rate[1]