The effects of oral supplementation of carvacrol on autophagy and epithelial to mesenchymal transition regulation in UV-induced skin damage.

Objective: The skin is the biggest organ of the body being most exposed to UV radiation (UVR). Many skin diseases may develop due to UV exposure. Thus, it is extremely important to reveal molecules that can prevent these diseases.

Material and method: Carvacrol (CVC), a liquid phenolic monoterpenoid is found in thyme and some plants related to thyme. In our study, for the first time in the literature we aimed to determine the effects of CVC on autophagy and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) mechanisms in skin damage of rats exposed to combined UVA and UVB radiation. For this purpose, twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups: I (Control), II (CVC alone), III (UVA + UVB), IV (UVA + UVB + CVC). While UVA + UVB was applied without any treatment in Group III, this application was performed with CVC support in Group IV. As for the animals in Group II, only carvacrol was given. On the 30th day of the trial, expression of certain genes playing a role in autophagy and EMT pathways were evaluated at mRNA and protein level by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining in the shaved back skin tissues of rats.

Results: Based on our results, it can be concluded that CVC may prevent autophagic cell death by suppressing autophagy and it might support the wound healing process by inducing EMT in UV-induced skin damage. The molecular mechanisms of the effect of CVC on autophagy and EMT mechanisms should be clarified in further studies.