The production of excessive reactive oxygen species by exposure to oxidative stress and solar radiation
are primary factors in skin damage. We examined the effects of a citrus-based juice mixture and its
bioactive compounds on antioxidant and anti-ageing activities in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless
mice via the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The
citrus-based juice mixture reduced H2O2-induced cell damage and intracellular reactive oxygen species
production in human dermal fibroblasts. Citrus-based juice mixture pretreatment suppressed the
activation of the H2O2-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by activating the expression
of activator protein 1 and matrix metalloproteinases. Moreover, it increased the expression levels of
antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase, catalase and manganese superoxide dismutase. In
addition, oral administration of the citrus-based juice mixture decreased skin thickness and wrinkle formation
and increased collagen content on an ultraviolet light B-exposed hairless mouse. These results
indicate that the citrus-based juice mixture is a potentially healthy beverage for the prevention of
oxidative stress-induced premature skin ageing.