Study on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of blueberry extract in HaCa T cells
Superfoods are rich in nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Blueberry (BB), one of these superfoods, is known for its beneficial effects on eye health, anti-aging, brain function, and immune enhancement. This study aimed to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of BB on skin inflammation. We investigated the antioxidant activities of BB by measuring DPPH, ABTS+ radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activities. In addition, we examined the effects of BB on inflammatory cytokine production and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1 in HaCa T cells. The results showed that the DPPH, ABTS+ radical, and superoxide anion scavenging activities of BB were 65.2%, 54.4%, and 58.3%, respectively. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents of BB were 44.1 mg GAE/g and 32.8 mg TA/g, respectively. BB significantly attenuated the production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects of BB are mediated through the suppression of IκB-α degradation, NF-κB translocation, and caspase-1 activation in stimulated HaCa T cells. In conclusion, these findings suggest that BB may serve as a functional agent for mitigating skin inflammatory responses.