{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T04:58:31Z","timestamp":1787029111675,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,7]],"date-time":"2026-06-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780790400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Molecules"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Dendrobium officinale has attracted increasing attention as a functional food because of its diverse biological activities; however, the photoprotective potential of its protein-derived peptides remains poorly understood. In this study, D. officinale protein hydrolysates were fractionated by ultrafiltration according to molecular weight, and their protective effects against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging were systematically evaluated in HaCaT keratinocytes. Among the tested fractions, low-molecular-weight peptide fractions exhibited relatively stronger antioxidant activity and effectively reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in UVB-irradiated cells. In addition, the peptide fractions alleviated UVB-induced inflammatory responses and decreased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, which was associated with modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-\u03baB) signaling pathways. Higher-molecular-weight fractions showed relatively stronger effects on maintaining skin barrier-related functions and were associated with regulation of transforming growth factor-\u03b2\/Smad (TGF-\u03b2\/Smad) signaling and collagen-related protein expression. Overall, these findings demonstrate functional differences among Dendrobium officinale peptide fractions and suggest their potential application as natural photoprotective ingredients in functional foods and cosmeceutical products.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules31121990","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T02:32:46Z","timestamp":1780885966000},"page":"1990","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Photoprotective Effects of Dendrobium officinale Protein Hydrolysate Fractions Against UVB-Induced Photoaging Associated with Modulation of MAPK\/NF-\u03baB and TGF-\u03b2\/Smad Signaling"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"31","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-7525-1144","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jinghan","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-2061-4039","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yue","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-8725-5141","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jinhao","family":"Zheng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-8554-6203","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Can","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mingshuo","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2554-5782","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Liming","family":"Pan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Production & Development of Cantonese Medicinal Materials, Guangzhou 510006, China"},{"name":"School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lee, H.-J., and Kim, M. (2022). Skin Barrier Function and the Microbiome. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms232113071"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"ojab019","DOI":"10.1093\/asjof\/ojab019","article-title":"Clinical Relevance of Elastin in the Structure and Function of Skin","volume":"3","author":"Baumann","year":"2021","journal-title":"Aesthet. Surg. J. Open Forum"},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"6","article-title":"The Anatomy, Physiology and Function of All Skin Layers and the Impact of Ageing on the Skin","volume":"32","author":"Lotfollahi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Wound Pract. Res. J. Aust. Wound Manag. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1842","DOI":"10.1039\/c8pp00182k","article-title":"Solar UV Damage to Cellular DNA: From Mechanisms to Biological Effects","volume":"17","author":"Mullenders","year":"2018","journal-title":"Photochem. Photobiol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1016\/S1011-1344(02)00231-2","article-title":"UV-B-Induced Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species and Oxidative Damage of the Cyanobacterium Anabaena Sp.: Protective Effects of Ascorbic Acid and N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine","volume":"66","author":"He","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, K., Deng, Y., He, Y., Cao, J., Zhang, L., Qin, L., Qu, C., Li, H., and Miao, J. (2023). Protective Effect of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids Isolated from an Antarctic Diatom on UVB-Induced Skin Damage. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms242015055"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Khawaja, G., El-Orfali, Y., Shoujaa, A., and Abou Najem, S. (2024). Galangin: A Promising Flavonoid for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Mechanisms, Evidence, and Therapeutic Potential. Pharmaceuticals, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ph17070963"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Susano, P., Silva, J., Alves, C., Martins, A., Pinteus, S., Gaspar, H., Goettert, M.I., and Pedrosa, R. (2022). Saccorhiza Polyschides-A Source of Natural Active Ingredients for Greener Skincare Formulations. Molecules, 27.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules27196496"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"58282","DOI":"10.12775\/JEHS.2025.79.58282","article-title":"The Impact of Environmental Factors on Skin and Tissue Ageing: Mechanisms, Effects, and Preventive Strategies","volume":"79","author":"Dorosz","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Educ. Health Sport"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"48","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jdermsci.2023.08.006","article-title":"Molecular Insights of Human Skin Epidermal and Dermal Aging","volume":"112","author":"Quan","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Dermatol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aleynik, D.Y., Charykova, I.N., Rubtsova, Y.P., Linkova, D.D., Farafontova, E.A., and Egorikhina, M.N. (2024). Specific Features of the Functional Activity of Human Adipose Stromal Cells in the Structure of a Partial Skin-Equivalent. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms25126290"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ansary, T.M., Hossain, M.R., Kamiya, K., Komine, M., and Ohtsuki, M. (2021). Inflammatory Molecules Associated with Ultraviolet Radiation-Mediated Skin Aging. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms22083974"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Papaccio, F., D\u2032Arino, A., Caputo, S., and Bellei, B. (2022). Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging. Antioxidants, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox11061121"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s13008-024-00107-z","article-title":"Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Ultraviolet-Induced Photodamage of the Skin","volume":"19","author":"Wei","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cell Div."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhang, Z., Tan, R., Xiong, Z., Feng, Y., and Chen, L. (2025). Dysregulation of Autophagy during Photoaging Reduce Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Damage Caused by UV. Front. Pharmacol., 16.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2025.1562845"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liang, D., Liu, L., Zhao, Y., Luo, Z., He, Y., Li, Y., Tang, S., Tang, J., and Chen, N. (2023). Targeting Extracellular Matrix through Phytochemicals: A Promising Approach of Multi-Step Actions on the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer. Front. Pharmacol., 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2023.1186712"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1016\/j.abb.2017.11.007","article-title":"Eucalyptus globulus Extract Protects against UVB-Induced Photoaging by Enhancing Collagen Synthesis via Regulation of TGF-\u03b2\/Smad Signals and Attenuation of AP-1","volume":"637","author":"Park","year":"2018","journal-title":"Arch. Biochem. Biophys."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4932","DOI":"10.1002\/ptr.7959","article-title":"Extracellular Matrix Turnover: Phytochemicals Target and Modulate the Dual Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) in Liver Fibrosis","volume":"37","author":"Sabir","year":"2023","journal-title":"Phytother. Res."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fan, Z.-L., Li, Q., Zhang, Z.-T., Bai, L., Pu, X., Shi, T.-W., and Chai, Y.-H. (2026). Authenticity Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Dendrobium officinale Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics. Foods, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/foods15010121"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jiao, C., Wei, M., Fan, H., Song, C., Wang, Z., Cai, Y., and Jin, Q. (2022). Transcriptomic Analysis of Genes Related to Alkaloid Biosynthesis and the Regulation Mechanism under Precursor and Methyl Jasmonate Treatment in Dendrobium officinale. Front. Plant Sci., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2022.941231"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"147009","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gene.2022.147009","article-title":"Exploration of the Effect of Blue Laser Light on microRNAs Involved in Functional Metabolism in D. officinale through RNA Sequencing","volume":"851","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"Gene"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123572","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2023.123572","article-title":"Structure, Anti-Fatigue Activity and Regulation on Gut Microflora in Vivo of Ethanol-Fractional Polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale","volume":"234","author":"Cai","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"He, Y., Li, L., Chang, H., Cai, B., Gao, H., Chen, G., Hou, W., Jappar, Z., and Yan, Y. (2022). Research Progress on Extraction, Purification, Structure and Biological Activity of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides. Front. Nutr., 9.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.965073"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wu, W., Zhao, Z., Zhao, Z., Zhang, D., Zhang, Q., Zhang, J., Fang, Z., Bai, Y., and Guo, X. (2023). Structure, Health Benefits, Mechanisms, and Gut Microbiota of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharides: A Review. Nutrients, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15234901"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.4103\/cjp.cjp_89_21","article-title":"Current Research Status of Alkaloids against Breast Cancer","volume":"65","author":"Hu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Chin. J. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thawabteh, A., Juma, S., Bader, M., Karaman, D., Scrano, L., Bufo, S.A., and Karaman, R. (2019). The Biological Activity of Natural Alkaloids against Herbivores, Cancerous Cells and Pathogens. Toxins, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxins11110656"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118024","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2024.118024","article-title":"Research Progress on Medicinal Components and Pharmacological Activities of Polygonatum sibiricum","volume":"328","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ullah, A., Munir, S., Badshah, S.L., Khan, N., Ghani, L., Poulson, B.G., Emwas, A.-H., and Jaremko, M. (2020). Important Flavonoids and Their Role as a Therapeutic Agent. Molecules, 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules25225243"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139387","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2024.139387","article-title":"An Active Protein from Dendrobium officinale Residue: Protects the Gastric Mucosa and Stabilized in the Gastrointestinal Tract","volume":"294","author":"Pan","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. J. Biol. Macromol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"170170","DOI":"10.1016\/j.peptides.2019.170170","article-title":"Potential Role of Natural Bioactive Peptides for Development of Cosmeceutical Skin Products","volume":"122","author":"Liceaga","year":"2019","journal-title":"Peptides"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"C974","DOI":"10.1152\/ajpcell.00881.2025","article-title":"Bioactive Peptide Matrikines: Discovery Approaches for Skin Rejuvenation","volume":"330","author":"Birtles","year":"2026","journal-title":"Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2193","DOI":"10.1111\/ijfs.14855","article-title":"Cellular Antioxidant Effect of Bioactive Peptides and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying: Beyond Chemical Properties","volume":"56","author":"Liceaga","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Food Sci. Tech."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1186\/s40643-021-00388-0","article-title":"Inhibitory Effect of Low-Molecular-Weight Peptides (0\u20133 kDa) from Spirulina platensis on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in L02 Human Liver Cells","volume":"8","author":"Ma","year":"2021","journal-title":"Bioresour. Bioprocess."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Chen, L. (2014). Preparation and Bioactivity Study of Dendrobium pendulum Protein Hydrolysates. [Master\u2019s Thesis, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine]. (In Chinese)."}],"container-title":["Molecules"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/31\/12\/1990\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T02:35:12Z","timestamp":1780886112000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1420-3049\/31\/12\/1990"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,7]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["molecules31121990"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules31121990","relation":{},"ISSN":["1420-3049"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1420-3049","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,7]]}}}