Protective Effect of Blemish Balm Cream Containing Flesh of Salak Pondoh (Salacca zalacca [Gaertn.] Voss) Fruit Extract Against Ultraviolet B-Induced Photoaging

Objectives: Ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly ultraviolet B (UVB), is a major external factor that accelerates skin aging by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage skin cells and biological molecules. The flesh of snake fruit (Salacca zalacca) contains compounds that may help neutralize ROS and protect the skin from premature aging. This research investigates the protective effects of a Blemish Balm (BB) cream formulated with S. zalacca fruit extract against UVB‑induced photoaging. Materials and Methods: S. zalacca flesh extract (SFE) was formulated with various ingredients, resulting in the BB cream containing SFE (BBSFE). Antioxidant and antiaging in vitro assays were measured by H2O2 scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), collagenase, and tyrosinase inhibition activities on SFE and BBSFE. Male mice (Mus musculus L.) were used as a UVB-induced photoaging model by shaving the dorsal skin and exposing it to UVB irradiation twice daily for 14 days, except for the negative control. The treated mice were smeared with BBSFE once and twice daily for 14 days. Hematoxylin‑eosin staining is used to detect collagen fiber damage and inflammation. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay was used to analyze the p53, MMP‑2, MMP‑13, and COL4A1 protein expression. Quantitative real‑time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay was used to analyze the transforming growth factor‑β1 (Tgf-β1), interleukin (Il)10, and Il18 gene expression. Results: BBSFE shows strong antioxidant and antiaging effects by inhibiting FRAP, H₂O₂, collagenase, and tyrosinase. It enhances collagen levels, reduces skin inflammation, downregulates p53, MMP‑2, MMP‑13, and Il18, and upregulates COL4A1, Tgf-β1, and Il10 in mice skin. Conclusion: BBSFE has potential as an antiaging agent in vitro and in vivo studies.