• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1071-1079
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Schisandra chinensis seed fractions by adding them to UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and analyzing the suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). An electron-donating assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of S. chinensis seed (SCEAf) has scavenging activities. A collagenase inhibition activity assay showed that SCEAf had inhibitory effects of over 92.3% at $500{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. An MTT assay was performed to determine the cytotoxicity of SCEAf in HaCaT cells and the results showed that SCEAf increased cellular viability in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, SCEAf was found to increase the viability of cells irradiatged by UVB $50mJ/cm^2$. To examine the anti-aging effects of SCEAf on HaCaT cells irradiated with UVB $50mJ/cm^2$, the expression of MMP-1 and -3 was analyzed by Western blotting and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that MMP-1 and -3 proteins and mRNA levels were downregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in response to SCEAf. These results suggest that SCEAf can prevent aging and alleviate aging symptoms by inhibiting collagenase activity in skin keratinocytes damaged by UVB. Therefore, S. chinensis seeds may have the potential for use as functional ingredients with anti-aging effects in the cosmetic and food industries.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.394-399
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• 2013

Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is used in herbal medicine in Eastern Asian countries including Korea. In this study, we assessed the effects of A. membranaceus extract (AM) on the aquaporin-3 (AQP3) protein expression in HaCaT cells. AM did not affect viability of HaCaT cells. AQP3 expression and cell migration seem to be maximal at $100{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor, PD153035, blocked AM-induced AQP3 expression and cell migration. In addition, an 80% ethanol extracts of herbal prescription, SinhyoTakleesan (ST), which is composed of A. membranaceus, Angelicae gigantis, Glycyrrhiza glabra Linne, and Lonicera japonica Flos also induced AQP3 expression at $20{\mu}g/mL$ in HaCaT cells. Collectively, these results suggest that AM induce AQP3 expression via EGFR pathway.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2022

Objectives : Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (PLP) have been reported to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. However, it is not yet known whether PLP extract has anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, human keratinocyte. Methods : To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of PLP on keratinocyte, TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated HaCaT cells were used. HaCaT cells were pre-treated with PLP for 1h before stimulation with TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾. Then HaCaT cells were stimulated with TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾 for 24 h, the cells and media were harvested to measure the inflammatory cytokines levels. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1𝛽), and TNF-𝛼 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokines (TARC), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also investigated the inhibitory mechanism of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, and p38 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-𝜅B) by PLP using western blot. Results : PLP did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. In TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated HaCaT cells, PLP significantly inhibited the expression of GM-CSF, MCP-1 IL-1𝛽, TNF-𝛼, TARC and IL-6. PLP inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and translocation of NF-𝜅B into the nucleus. Conclusions : These results indicate that PLP could ameliorate the TNF-𝛼/IFN-𝛾-stimulated inflammatory response through inhibition of MAPK and NF-kB signal pathway. This suggests that PLP could be used beneficial agent to improve skin inflammation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2024

Purpose : Skin is the primary barrier to protect the body from various exogenous factors. Among them, UVB exposure can cause the induction of not only excessive inflammatory responses but also the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), including collagen and elastin. This study tried to investigate the ameliorative effect of Persicaria perfoliata ethanol extract (PPEE) on UVB-irradiated photodamage through the regulation of activator protein (AP)-1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules in HaCaT cells. Methods : The cytotoxicity of PPEE on HaCaT cells was evaluated by the WST-1 assay. The 80 mJ/cm² of UVB (312 nm) was irradiated on HaCaT cells to induce the photodamage. Western blot analysis was conducted to investigate the protein expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 for ameliorative status by PPEE treatment in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. In addition, the activated status of the inflammatory transcription factor, AP-1, as well as upstream signaling molecules, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK, were also evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results : Any cytotoxic effect was not induced at the concentration up to 200 ㎍/ml by PPEE treatment. Protein expression levels of COX-2 and MMP-9 were significantly down- and up-regulated by PPEE treatment. The inflammatory transcription factor AP-1, stimulated by UVB irradiation, was also significantly attenuated by PPEE treatment. The phosphorylated status of PI3K/Akt and MAPK were mitigated by PPEE treatment in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. Moreover, PPEE treatment potently accelerated the expression of HO-1 and its transcription factor, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)2, which is known for its anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion : Consequently, PPEE treatment significantly regulated COX-2 and MMP-9 expressions in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. The inflammatory transcription factor AP-1, along with upstream signaling molecules PI3K/Akt and MAPKs, were also attenuated by PPEE treatment in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. Additionally, PPEE treatment exaggerated HO-1 expression and Nrf2 activation, which might have contributed to the anti-inflammatory activity of PPEE. These results indicate that PPEE could be a candidate for attenuating UVB-induced photodamage in human skin.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.229-232
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• 2018

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.589-593
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• 2016

Propionibacterium acnes infection in skin tissue often causes acne vulgaris, commonly characterized by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. Chitosan and its derivatives possess strong anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates on P. acnes-infected human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) was evaluated. We designed a model of P. acnes-induced inflammation in viable HaCaT cells. Nitric oxide (NO), an inflammatory marker, was successfully elevated by P. acnes infection in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of NO were reduced by treatment with chitosan-phytochemical conjugates (chitosan-caffeic acid, -ferulic acid and -sinapic acid) in a dose-dependent manner. Among these conjugates, chitosan-caffeic acid exhibited the strongest NO suppression in HaCaT cells infected with P. acnes. The results obtained in this study suggest that chitosan-phytochemical conjugates could be used as a potential therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.310-317
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• 2017

Mammalian cells control cellular homeostasis using a variety of defensive enzymes in order to combat against environmental oxidants and electrophiles. NF-E2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that, in response to an exposure to oxidative stress, translocates into the nucleus and modulates the inducible expression of various phase II cytoprotective enzymes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). In the present study, we have acquired 400 ethanol extracts of traditional medicinal plants and attempted to find out possible extract(s) that can increase the NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes. As a result, we have identified that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica strongly activated the ARE-dependent luciferase activity in HaCaT- ARE-luciferase cells. Exposure of ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica increased the viability and activated transcription and translation of NRF2-dependent phase II cytoprotective enzymes in HaCaT cells, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD[P]H:quinone oxidorecutase-1 (NQO1). In addition, ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inhibiting the formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in HaCaT cells. Together, our results demonstrate that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica exert anti-oxidant effects via the induction of NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2014

Bee venom (BV) therapy has been used as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, cancerous tumors, and skin diseases. However, regulatory effects of BV on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$-induced HaCaT cell migration or anti-inflammatory have not been explored. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BV on HaCaT cell migration and anti-inflammation. HaCaT cell migration was evaluated by wound-healing assay. The pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-8 were examined by ELISA or Western blotting. BV treatment led to an increase in migration of HaCaT cells for 24 and 48 h. Especially, 10 ng/ml of BV were significantly increased HaCaT cell migration. Also, BV suppressed the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-8 in culture medium with HaCaT cells. In addition, Western blot results demonstrate that BV suppressed the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, in HaCaT cells. Especially, 1 or 10 ng/ml of BV markedly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results demonstrate the potential of BV for the prevention of skin inflammation induced by TNF-${\alpha}$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2015-2020
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• 2012

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid in food materials and is a component of the leaves and roots of Olea europaea, Viscum album L., Aralia chinensis L. and more than 120 other plant species. There are several reports validating its antitumor activity against different cancer cells apart from its hepatoprotective activity. However, antitumor activity against skin cancer has not beed studied well thus far. Hence the present study of effects of OA against HaCaT (immortalized keratinocyte) cells - a cell-based epithelial model system for toxicity/ethnopharmacology-based studies - was conducted. Radical scavenging activity ($DPPH{\cdot}$) and FRAP were determined spectrophotometrically. Proliferation was assessed by XTT assay at 24, 48 and 72 hrs with exposure to various concentrations (12.5-200 ${\mu}M$) of OA. Apoptotic induction potential of OA was demonstrated using a cellular DNA fragmentation ELISA method. Morphological studies were also carried out to elucidate its antitumor potential. The results revealed that OA induces apoptosis by altering cellular morphology as well as DNA integrity in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner, with comparatively low cytotoxicity. The moderate toxicity observed in HaCaT cells, with induction of apoptosis, possibly suggests greater involvement of programmed-cell death-mediated mechanisms. We conclude that OA has relatively low toxicity and has the potential to induce apoptosis in HaCaT cells and hence provides a substantial and sound scientific basis for further validation studies.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2015

Keratinocytes are first barrier against outer challenges on skin. However, it is still largely unknown about effective protectors against ultraviolet B (UVB), and oxidative stress in human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells. Inducible heme oxygenase (HO)-1 acts against oxidants that are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of skin disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Portulaca oleracea 70% EtOH extracts against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. P. oleracea 70% EtOH extracts showed the potent protective effects on H₂O₂-induced toxicity by induced the expression of HO-1 in human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells. Furthermore, P. oleracea 70 % EtOH extracts caused the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. In addition, we found that treatment with c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) reduced P. oleracea 70% EtOH extracts-induced HO-1 expression, and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) also inhibited protective effects by P. oleracea 70% EtOH extracts. Therefore, these results suggest that P. oleracea 70 % EtOH extracts increases cellular resistance to H₂O₂-induced oxidative injury in human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells, presumably through JNK pathway-Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression.