Anti-inflammatory efficacy of Licochalcone A: correlation of clinical potency and in vitro effects.
Licochalcone A (LicA), a major phenolic constituent of the licorice species Glycyrrhiza inflata, has recently been reported to have anti-inflammatory as well as anti-microbial effects. These anti-inflammatory properties might be exploited for topical applications of LicA. We conducted prospective randomized vehicle-controlled clinical trials to assess the anti-irritative efficacy of cosmetic formulations containing LicA in a post-shaving skin irritation model and on UV-induced erythema formation. The clinical trials were accompanied by a series of in vitro experiments to characterize anti-inflammatory properties of LicA on several dermatologically relevant cell types. Topical LicA causes a highly significant reduction in erythema relative to the vehicle control in both the shave- and UV-induced erythema tests, demonstrating the anti-irritative properties of LicA. Furthermore, LicA is a potent inhibitor of pro-inflammatory in vitro responses, including N-formyl-MET-LEU-PHE (fMLP)- or zymosan-induced oxidative burst of granulocytes, UVB-induced PGE(2) release by keratinocytes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PGE(2) release by adult dermal fibroblasts, fMLP-induced LTB(4) release by granulocytes, and LPS-induced IL-6/TNF-alpha secretion by monocyte-derived dendritic cells. The reported data suggest therapeutic skin care benefits from LicA when applied to sensitive or irritated skin.
Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Unnastrasse 48, 20245 Hamburg, Germany. ludger.kolbe@beiersdorf.com
Ludger
L
Kolbe
Jeannine
J
Immeyer
Jan
J
Batzer
Ursula
U
Wensorra
Karen
K
tom Dieck
Claudia
C
Mundt
Rainer
R
Wolber
Franz
F
Stäb
Uwe
U
Schönrock
Roger I
RI
Ceilley
Horst
H
Wenck
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047188:Chalcones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D015054:Zymosan / Q000494:pharmacology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D047188:Chalcones; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D015054:Zymosan; C070840:licochalcone A; D015232:Dinoprostone