Topical Metformin Application To Mitigate UVB-induced Skin Damage
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: PURPOSE: Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation contributes to skin photoaging, inflammation, and carcinogenesis through oxidative stress and DNA damage; however, there are no efficacious treatments available. Metformin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may offer protection. In this study, we used a novel topical metformin cream (patent pending) to study its potential to prevent UVB-induced skin damage. This was done using abdominal fasciocutaneous flaps obtained from surgical waste, creating a first-of-its-kind ex vivo human skin model (patent pending). METHODS: A UVB lamp was used as a radiation source. We exposed our human skin model to clinically relevant levels of UVB that correspond to 1-4 hours of summer sun exposure in the Midwest (1.4 - 4.2J), and a dose that corresponds to high-intensity UVB areas of the U.S. (18J). The five study groups included: control (no exposure), acute UVB (entire dose in one session) and chronic UVB (dose divided into 6 daily sessions) with and without application of topical metformin. Read-outs included morphometric analysis for gross changes, histological analysis for skin architecture through Hematoxylin and Eosin and Fontana-Masson staining, along with cellular damage and senescence signature via γH2AX, iNOS, HMGB1, and P16 staining. RESULTS: UVB exposed skin showcased histological signs of damage such as cellular vacuolization and nuclear shrinkage, breakdown of the epidermal-dermal junction, increased melanin production, and γH2AX, iNOS, HMGB1, P16 upregulation. Metformin treated skin showed decreased cellular damage, lowered melanin production, and reduced iNOS and γH2AX expression. CONCLUSION: Topical metformin demonstrated protective efficacy against both acute and chronic UVB exposure by maintaining epidermal integrity, reducing melanin dysregulation, and limiting DNA damage, as evidenced by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. These findings support repurposing metformin as a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat UV-induced skin changes. *Source: https://ps-rc.org/meeting/Program/2026/MS42.cgi*
Language: English
Topic: Skin Protection and Aging
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7160597099