Protective effect of boric acid against LPS-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes: A simultaneous treatment approach

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by epidermal dysregulation and increased oxida-tive stress. This study investigated the protective effects of boric acid (BA) in HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to lipopoly-saccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammatory redox stress using a simultaneous treatment protocol.
METHODS: HaCaT cells were assigned to control, LPS (10 µg/mL or 200 ng/mL), BA (20 or 100 µM), and simultaneous treatment (LPS + BA) groups. Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Oxidative status was evaluated by malondi-aldehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total sulfhydryl (TSH), and antioxidant parameters [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)]. Cell migration was analyzed by a wound healing assay.
RESULTS: LPS exposure did not cause overt cytotoxicity at 24 h but was associated with increased MDA and reduced CAT activity, indicating inflammatory oxidative stress. AOPP levels did not show a marked change under these acute conditions. Simultaneous BA administration maintained keratinocyte viability and attenuated LPS-associated lipid per-oxidation, while partially restoring antioxidant defenses and improving wound closure.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: BA modulates oxidative stress markers and supports antioxidant defense and migratory capacity in LPS-stimulated keratinocytes. These findings support BA as a candidate redox-modulating compound that warrants validation in immune-competent and in vivo models relevant to psoriasis.

Keywords: Antioxidant defense, boric acid, HaCaT keratinocytes, inflammation, LPS (Lipopolysaccharide), oxidative stress, psoriasis