Essential oil of Saposhnikovia divaricata mitigates Cutibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory acne via Nrf2 pathway activation and NF-κB pathway inhibition.

IF 5.4 2区医学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL

Journal of ethnopharmacology Pub Date : 2025-09-25 DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120647

Song-Xue Yang, Wei-Lie Xiao, Xing-Jie Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The root of Saposhnikovia divaricata has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat inflammation and immune related skin diseases, such as skin allergy and itchy rash. However, scientific research supporting its efficacy, particularly in curing inflammation from acne, is still scarce.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of essential oil of Saposhnikovia divaricata (EOSD) on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)-induced acne and investigate its mechanisms.

Materials and methods: An acute acne model was established by injecting C. acnes into mouse ears, followed by topical EOSD treatment (0.25 %, 0.5 % and 1 %). Ear tissues were analyzed 24 h post-treatment. In vitro, C. acnes-stimulated J774A.1 macrophages were treated with EOSD (3, 10 and 30 μg/ml) to assess mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Key markers were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, real-time PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. Nrf2 knockdown was achieved via siRNA transfection.

Results: In vivo, C. acnes suppressed Nrf2 activation, increased ROS levels, and triggered NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to inflammation. EOSD restored Nrf2 activity, reduced ROS levels, and inhibited NLRP3 activation. In vitro, EOSD disrupted Nrf2/Keap1 interaction, enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, reduced mitochondrial damage, and suppressed pyroptosis by downregulating IL-1β, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and NF-κB signaling. These effects were reversed by Nrf2 knockdown.

Conclusion: EOSD alleviates oxidative stress and modulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation through upregulating Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting NF-κB pathway, as well as improving mitochondrial homeostasis and inflammatory responses in acne. These findings suggest that EOSD may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

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藿香精油通过激活Nrf2通路和抑制NF-κB通路减轻痤疮表皮杆菌诱导的炎症性痤疮。

民族药理学相关性：中药传统上使用菝葜的根来治疗炎症和免疫相关的皮肤病，如皮肤过敏和瘙痒皮疹。然而，支持其功效的科学研究，特别是在治疗痤疮引起的炎症方面，仍然很少。研究目的：评价槐树精油（EOSD）对痤疮表皮杆菌（C. acnes）诱导的痤疮的治疗作用并探讨其作用机制。材料与方法：小鼠耳内注射痤疮原体，分别给予0.25%、0.5%和1%的EOSD局部治疗，建立急性痤疮模型。治疗24小时后分析耳组织。体外用EOSD（3、10和30 μg/ml）处理C. acnes刺激的J774A.1巨噬细胞，评估线粒体损伤、氧化应激和炎症反应。使用电镜、实时PCR、免疫印迹、ELISA和免疫荧光分析关键标记物。Nrf2敲除是通过siRNA转染实现的。结果：C. acnes抑制Nrf2激活，增加ROS水平，触发NLRP3炎性体激活，导致炎症。EOSD恢复Nrf2活性，降低ROS水平，抑制NLRP3激活。在体外，EOSD通过下调IL-1β、Caspase-1、GSDMD和NF-κB信号通路，破坏Nrf2/Keap1相互作用，增强Nrf2核易位，减少线粒体损伤，抑制焦亡。这些影响被Nrf2敲除逆转。结论：EOSD通过上调Nrf2通路、抑制NF-κB通路，缓解痤疮氧化应激，调节NLRP3炎性小体活化，改善线粒体稳态和炎症反应。这些发现提示EOSD可能是治疗寻常性痤疮的一种有前景的药物。

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来源期刊

Journal of ethnopharmacology 医学-全科医学与补充医学

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

967

审稿时长

77 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Ethnopharmacology is dedicated to the exchange of information and understandings about people''s use of plants, fungi, animals, microorganisms and minerals and their biological and pharmacological effects based on the principles established through international conventions. Early people confronted with illness and disease, discovered a wealth of useful therapeutic agents in the plant and animal kingdoms. The empirical knowledge of these medicinal substances and their toxic potential was passed on by oral tradition and sometimes recorded in herbals and other texts on materia medica. Many valuable drugs of today (e.g., atropine, ephedrine, tubocurarine, digoxin, reserpine) came into use through the study of indigenous remedies. Chemists continue to use plant-derived drugs (e.g., morphine, taxol, physostigmine, quinidine, emetine) as prototypes in their attempts to develop more effective and less toxic medicinals.