Antioxidant Houttuynia cordata extract upregulates filaggrin expression in an aryl hydrocarbon-dependent manner

Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi. 2014 Nov;105(11):205-13.

Abstract

The plant Houttuynia cordata, which is called "dokudami" in Japanese, is known as a potent antioxidant herb that has been traditionally consumed as a folk medicine for various ailments, such as diabetes, obesity, cough, fever and skin diseases, in Asia. However, its antioxidant mechanism remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Houttuynia cordata extract (HCE) on human keratinocytes. HCE activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, with subsequent induction of the antioxidative enzyme NAD (P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 gene. HCE inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in keratinocytes stimulated with tumor necrosis factor α or benzo(α)pyrene. Moreover, HCE upregulated the gene expression of filaggrin, an essential skin barrier protein, in an AHR-dependent manner. HCE may be beneficial for treating ROS-related photoaging and barrier-disrupted skin conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants*
  • Benzo(a)pyrene / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Filaggrin Proteins
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Houttuynia
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics*
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) / metabolism
  • NADP / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • FLG protein, human
  • Filaggrin Proteins
  • Houttuynia cordata extract
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • NADP
  • NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)
  • NQO1 protein, human