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Immunology

Effect of topical soy extract cream on TNF-alpha and VEGF expression in a sub-chronic UVB-induced skin injury model in BALB/c mice

Nurul Setyani Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Sultan Agung Islamic University Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia Correspondence nurulsetyani@gmail.com
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Titiek Sumarawati Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Sultan Agung Islamic University Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia Correspondence titiek.sumarawati@unissula.ac.id
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Atina Hussaana Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences Sultan Agung Islamic University Semarang, Indonesia, Indonesia Correspondence atinahussaana@gmail.com
Pages 59-69
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Abstract

Excessive ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces skin injury through oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling, characterized by increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and dysregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Soy-derived isoflavones possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and have been proposed as potential natural photoprotective agents. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical soy extract cream on TNF-alpha and VEGF expression in a sub-chronic UVB-induced skin injury model. An in vivo experimental study with a post-test-only control group design was conducted using 30 BALB/c mice randomly allocated into five groups: healthy control, UVB-exposed untreated control, UVB-exposed treated with vitamin E cream, UVB-exposed treated with 10% soy extract cream, and UVB-exposed treated with 20% soy extract cream (n = 6 per group). Mice were exposed to UVB radiation at 1 minimal erythema dose (MED) for 8 minutes per session, ten sessions over 14 days. On day 15, dorsal skin tissues were harvested and analyzed for TNF-alpha and VEGF levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA for TNF-alpha and Kruskal–Wallis test for VEGF. Sub-chronic UVB exposure significantly increased TNF-alpha levels compared with healthy controls. Topical application of soy extract cream significantly reduced TNF-alpha levels at both 10% (627 ± 44 pg/mL) and 20% (551 ± 130 pg/mL) compared with the UVB-exposed untreated group (916 ± 134 pg/mL) (p < 0.05). In parallel, VEGF levels were significantly elevated in the 10% (313.90 ± 101.39 pg/mL) and 20% (722.00 ± 57.67 pg/mL) treatment groups compared with the untreated UVB group (145.04 ± 26.57 pg/mL) (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that topical soy extract cream attenuates UVB-induced inflammation while enhancing angiogenic signaling, suggesting its potential as a natural photoprotective formulation for mitigating sub-chronic UVB-induced skin damage.

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How to Cite This

Setyani, N., Titiek Sumarawati, & Atina Hussaana. (2026). Effect of topical soy extract cream on TNF-alpha and VEGF expression in a sub-chronic UVB-induced skin injury model in BALB/c mice. Jurnal Teknologi Laboratorium, 15(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.29238/teknolabjournal.v15i1.619

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