Tetraacetylphytosphingosine is a sphingolipid metabolite produced through the acetylation of plant sphingosine. It functions as an angiogenesis inhibitor by suppressing the activation of MAPK and increasing intracellular calcium ions. Additionally, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine induces apoptosis in HaCaT cells.

Tetraacetylphytosphingosine (TAPS; 5 μM; 24 hours) significantly reduces chemotactic migration and capillary-like tube formation induced by VEGF in HUVEC cells. It inhibits the production of proteolytic enzymes induced by VEGF, including MMP-2, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Tetraacetylphytosphingosine also suppresses the phosphorylation of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-JNK in response to VEGF. Additionally, it eliminates the increase in intracellular calcium ions triggered by VEGF. In HaCaT cells, co-treatment with Tetraacetylphytosphingosine synergistically enhances UVB-induced apoptosis by modulating the levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, achieved through the activation of caspases.