Polyphenon-60 displays a therapeutic effect on acne by suppression of TLR2 and IL-8 expression via down-regulating the ERK1/2 pathway.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a well-known acne-inducing factor which causes inflammatory skin lesions by enhancing cytokine production through toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Green tea extract catechin has been documented to possess anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved or any direct effect of green tea catechin on acne. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanism of polyphenon-60, also known as green tea catechin compound, on acne in vitro and in vivo. In a clinical study using topical polyphenon-60 treatment, acne patients showed symptomatic improvement with decrease in the number of comedos and pustules. To investigate the mechanism underlying the activity of polyphenon-60 in acne therapy, an in vitro study was performed. We found that polyphenon-60 reduced the levels of P. acnes-enhanced TLR2 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in THP-1 cells, human monocyte cell line and human primary monocytes. Taken together, these data demonstrate that polyphenon-60 has a therapeutic effect on acne by suppressing inflammation, specifically by inhibiting TLR2 expression and IL-8 secretion via down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway and activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway.
Department of Life Science, SIS Immunology Research Center, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
Min Kyung
MK
Jung
Soogyeong
S
Ha
Ju-Ah
JA
Son
Ji Hye
JH
Song
Younkyung
Y
Houh
Eujin
E
Cho
Ji Hoon
JH
Chun
Suk Ran
SR
Yoon
Yoolhee
Y
Yang
Sa Ik
SI
Bang
Minjung
M
Kim
Hyun Jeong
HJ
Park
Daeho
D
Cho
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D013662:Tea; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D005419:Flavonoids; D016209:Interleukin-8; D010636:Phenols; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; D013662:Tea; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2