title: Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of Potentilla erecta - A traditional medicinal plant from the northern hemisphere.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch is a medicinal plant of the Northern hemisphere belonging to the plant family of roses (Rosaceae). It has traditionally been used to treat inflammatory disorders of the skin and mucous membranes as well as chronic diarrhea.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study we analyzed the anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive effect of a Potentilla erecta extract (PE) and questioned if PE is similar effective as mild corticosteroids. Then we analyzed if PE acts in the skin via a similar mode of action as corticosteroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anti-inflammatory effect of PE was analyzed in irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes by measuring the formation of IL-6 and PGE2. Additionally the effect of PE on TNF-α induced NF-κB activation was determined. As the anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids correlates with their vasoconstrictive properties we tested if PE displays also vasoconstriction. Therefore we performed an occlusive patch test and a collagen contraction assay. Furthermore the binding of PE to the glucocorticoid receptor was determined with stainings and reporter assays. The interaction of PE on the nitric oxide (NO) content was examined with radical scavenging and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) reporter assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In irradiated or TNF-α stimulated HaCaT cells the formation of IL-6 and PGE2or NF-κB activation was strongly reduced by PE. Furthermore PE showed a blanching effect comparable to hydrocortisone. However, in contrast to glucocorticoids, PE did not cause nuclear translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor in HaCaT cells. The blanching effect of PE was at least partly attributable to a scavenging effect of NO and inhibition of eNOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PE displays anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive effects and might therefore be beneficial for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre skinitial, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: ute.woelfle@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wölfle
authors.affiliation: Research Centre skinitial, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Research Centre skinitial, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haarhaus
authors.affiliation: Molecular Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Venugopal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rao Mittapalli
authors.affiliation: Research Centre skinitial, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schempp
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010328:Patch Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D031987:Potentilla; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003094:Collagen; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Agrimoniin; Glucocorticoid receptor; Keratinocytes; NO; Potentilla erecta; Vasoconstriction