Effect of Calendula officinalis L. extract emulgel on TNF-α and VEGF levels in UV-B-exposed male Wistar rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56338/ijhess.v8i3.12440Keywords:
Calendula officinalis, TNF-α, VEGF, photoaging, UV-B, Wistar ratsAbstract
Background: Ultraviolet B (UV-B) exposure triggers photoaging through inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Calendula officinalis L. contains flavonoids, triterpenoids, and carotenoids with potential anti-inflammatory and angiogenic activity. This study evaluated the effect of Calendula officinalis L. extract emulgel on TNF-α and VEGF levels in UV-B-exposed Wistar rats.
Methods: An in vivo post-test-only control group experiment was conducted in June–July 2025 using 24 male Wistar rats (6 per group): healthy control (K1), UV-B with base emulgel (K2), UV-B with 10% calendula emulgel (K3), and UV-B with 20% calendula emulgel (K4). UV-B (302 nm, 400 mJ/cm²) was given daily for 14 days, and emulgel was applied once daily one hour after exposure. Blood was collected from the orbital sinus 24 hours after the last exposure, and TNF-α and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.
Results: TNF-α differed among groups (p = .001). It was higher in K2 than in K1 (p = .001), lower in K3 than in K2 (201.34 ± 11.79 vs. 236.97 ± 10.42 ng/mL; p = .001), and higher in K4 than in K2 (259.55 ng/mL; p = .017). VEGF did not differ among groups (p = .258), although K4 had the highest mean (1312.30 ± 220.13 ng/mL).
Conclusion: A 10% calendula emulgel lowered TNF-α in UV-B-exposed rats, whereas a 20% emulgel did not and raised it; no significant effect on VEGF was shown.
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