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.
Kolbe
Ludger
L
Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Unnastrasse 48, 20245 Hamburg, Germany. ludger.kolbe@beiersdorf.com
Immeyer
Jeannine
J
Batzer
Jan
J
Wensorra
Ursula
U
tom Dieck
Karen
K
Mundt
Claudia
C
Wolber
Rainer
R
Stäb
Franz
F
Schönrock
Uwe
U
Ceilley
Roger I
RI
Wenck
Horst
H
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