Anti-photoaging effects of a topical lotion mediated by coordinated modulation of glutathione metabolism, TGF-β/Smad, and MAPK pathways for extracellular matrix homeostasis

This study investigates the anti-photoaging mechanisms of a skincare lotion (JDY) using an integrative approach. Transcriptomic profiling of UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts revealed that JDY modulates three interconnected pathways: it upregulates glutathione metabolism-related genes (GSTA4, GSTM2) to counteract oxidative stress; activates TGF-β/Smad signaling (TGFBR1, SMAD3) to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis; and downregulates MAPK/AP-1 components (FOSL1, MMP1) to inhibit collagen degradation. Functional assays confirmed that JDY reduces UVA-induced reactive oxygen species, increases elastin and collagen type I synthesis by 13.0% and 14.5% respectively, and suppresses MMP-1 release. Western blot validated SMAD3 and COL1 upregulation. A 56-day clinical study using 3D imaging demonstrated that JDY application significantly improves skin elasticity parameters (R2, R5, Q1), increases stratum corneum hydration by 31.7%, reduces transepidermal water loss by 29.7%, and visibly ameliorates wrinkles. These findings establish JDY as a multi-target anti-photoaging agent and offer a transferable paradigm for mechanism-driven cosmetic development.