title: Cynaropicrin from Cynara scolymus L. suppresses photoaging of skin by inhibiting the transcription activity of nuclear factor-kappa B.
abstract: Aging of skin is characterized by skin wrinkling, laxity, and pigmentation induced by several environmental stress factors. Histological changes during the photoaging of skin include hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes causing skin wrinkles and pigmentation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is one of the representative transcription factors active in conjunction with inflammation. NF-κB is activated by stimulation such as ultraviolet rays and inflammatory cytokines and induces the expression of various genes such as those of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1). We screened several plant extracts for their possible inhibitory effect on the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. One of them, an extract from Cynara scolymus L., showed a greatest effect on the suppression of NF-κB transactivation. As a result, we found that cynaropicrin, which is a sesquiterpene lactone, inhibited the NF-κB-mediated transactivation of bFGF and MMP-1. Furthermore, it was confirmed that in an in vivo mouse model cynaropicrin prevented skin photoaging processes leading to the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes. These findings taken together indicate that cynaropicrin is an effective antiphotoaging agent that acts by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated transactivation.
authors.affiliation: Gifu University 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuka Tsuda
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Kiyotaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Tomoji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: Teruaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masutani
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuboi
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C075687:cynaropicrin