Enhancement of skin barrier and hydration-related molecules by protopanaxatriol in human keratinocytes

Jeong-Oog Lee; So-Hyeon Hwang; Ting Shen; Ji Hye Kim; Long You; Weicheng Hu; Jae Youl Cho

doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2020.12.003

Enhancement of skin barrier and hydration-related molecules by protopanaxatriol in human keratinocytes

J Ginseng Res. 2021 Mar;45(2):354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2020.12.003. Epub 2020 Dec 11.

Authors

Jeong-Oog Lee¹, So-Hyeon Hwang², Ting Shen³, Ji Hye Kim², Long You², Weicheng Hu³, Jae Youl Cho²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Aerospace Information Engineering, Bio-Inspired Aerospace Information Laboratory, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.
³ Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Regional Modern Agriculture & Environmental Protection, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Eco-Agricultural Biotechnology around Hongze Lake, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, China.

Abstract

Background: Protopanaxatriol (PPT) is a secondary intestinal metabolite of ginsenoside in ginseng. Although the effects of PPT have been reported in various diseases including cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases, the skin protective effects of PPT are poorly understood.

Methods: HaCaT cells were treated with PPT in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA and protein levels which related to skin barrier and hydration were detected compared with retinol. Luciferase assay was performed to explore the relative signaling pathway. Western blot was conducted to confirm these pathways and excavated further signals.

Results: PPT enhanced the expression of filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase (TGM)-1, claudin, occludin and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) -1, -2 and -3. The mRNA expression levels of FLG, TGM-1, HAS-1 and HAS-2 were suppressed under NF-κB inhibition. PPT significantly augmented NF-κB-luc activity and upregulated Src/AKT/NF-κB signaling. In addition, PPT also increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK, JNK and p38 and upstream MAPK activators (MEK and MKK). Furthermore, transcriptional activity of AP-1 and CREB, which are downstream signaling targets of MAPK, was enhanced by PPT.

Conclusion: PPT improves skin barrier function and hydration through Src/AKT/NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Therefore, PPT may be a valuable component for cosmetics or treating skin disorders.

Keywords: AP-1; CREB; NF-κB; protopanaxatriol; skin protection.