Effects of Herbal Extracts on the Healing of UV-Induced Skin Damage in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Sangeeta Verma; Vishwakant

doi:10.55544/jrasb.3.1.59

Authors

Sangeeta Verma Department of Zoology, Agra College, Agra affiliated to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, INDIA.
Vishwakant Department of Zoology, Agra College, Agra affiliated to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, INDIA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.3.1.59

Keywords:

UV radiation, Herbal extracts, Antioxidants, Skin healing

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major environmental factor that induces significant skin damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of normal skin architecture. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of selected herbal extracts—Aloe vera, Calendula officinalis, and Curcuma longa—in promoting the healing of skin lesions induced by artificial UV-B radiation in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). By applying these extracts topically after controlled UV exposure, we evaluated their efficacy in mitigating skin damage through histopathological examination, biochemical assays of antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase), lipid peroxidation levels, and inflammatory cytokine quantification (TNF-α and IL-6). The findings demonstrate that the herbal treatments significantly enhance the skin’s antioxidant defenses, reduce oxidative damage, and suppress inflammatory responses, resulting in improved tissue repair and restoration of normal skin morphology compared to untreated controls. These results highlight the potential of these herbal extracts as natural, cost-effective agents for managing UV-induced skin injuries and suggest their applicability in developing novel dermatological therapies aimed at preventing or treating photoaging and other UV-related skin disorders.

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