Enhancement of keratinocyte differentiation by rose absolute oil.
BACKGROUND
Through differentiation processes, keratinocytes provide a physical barrier to our bodies and control skin features such as moisturization, wrinkles and pigmentation. Keratinocyte differentiation is disturbed in several skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the keratinocyte differentiation-enhancing effect of rose absolute oil (RAO).


METHODS
Primary cultured human normal keratinocytes were treated with RAO, and differentiation then checked by the expression of marker genes.


RESULTS
RAO did not induce cytotoxicity on cultured keratinocytes at a dose of 10microM. The level of involucrin, an early marker for keratinocyte differentiation, was significantly increased by RAO. Concomitantly, RAO increased involucrin promoter activity, indicating that RAO increased involucrin gene expression at the mRNA level. Furthermore, RAO increased the level of filaggrin in cultured keratinocytes, and in the granular layer of mouse skin. In line with these results, RAO decreased the proliferation of keratinocytes cultured in vitro. When RAO was applied topically on the tape-stripped mouse skins, it accelerated the recovery of disturbed barrier function.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that RAO may be applicable for the control of skin texture and keratinocyte differentiation-related skin diseases.
Kim
Jin-Hwa
JH
Department of Dermatology and Institute of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
Choi
Dae-Kyoung
DK
Lee
Sang-Sin
SS
Choi
Sun Ja
SJ
Kim
Chang Deok
CD
Yoon
Tae-Jin
TJ
Lee
Jeung-Hoon
JH