[Effects of baicalin and other Chinese herbal monomer on androgen receptor mRNA expression in SZ95 sebocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of Chinese herbal monomers such as baicalin, berberine, and matrine on the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression in SZ95 sebocytes in vitro and to explore the possible mechanism of using traditional Chinese medicines to treat acne.


METHODS
SZ95 sebocytes were cultured and then treated with berberine, baicalin, matrine, and 13-cis-retinoic acid for 24 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect the changes of AR.


RESULTS
AR mRNA was downregulated by 13-cis-retinoic acid of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L, and by baicalin of 1 x 10(-4) mol/L (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
13-cis-retinoic acid and baicalin may exert antiandrogenitic action by inhibiting AR mRNA expression in human sebocytes.
Ju
Qiang
Q
Department of Dermatology, Xuzhou NO 1 People' Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, China.
Yin
Xing-Ping
XP
Shi
Ji-Hai
JH
Kang
Xiao-Jing
XJ
Xin
Yan
Y
Xia
Long-Qing
LQ
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; C038044:baicalin