Date seed oil inhibits Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human epidermal keratinocytes

Background  Oxidative stress has been implicated in various skin diseases through the generation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of endogenous antioxidant systems. The administration of antioxidants is reportedly helpful, notably to enhance the healing process. To protect the skin against oxidative damages, we have studied the effect of new oil: “date seed oil” (DSO). This oil, may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidants such as phenols and tocopherols. Methods  Here, we report the protective effect of DSO against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation, depletion of endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) using normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Results  In the investigated model system, DSO has significant chemoprotective effect, by inhibition of damage caused by H2O2 compared with cells without such addition endowing with a radical scavenging ability. Treatment of NHEK with DSO inhibited H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation. In addition, this oil inhibited H2O2-induced depletion of antioxidant defense components, such as SOD, CAT and GPx. Conclusions  Our findings demonstrate that DSO is an efficient extract that is able to prevent keratinocytes oxidative damage induced by H2O2 exposure and may thus be a potential promising candidate, as a chemopreventive agent, in the development of keratinocytes-related pathologies.