Quercetin Improves Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Impaired Wound Healing in Atopic Dermatitis Model of Human Keratinocytes

Pediatr Allergy Immunol Pulmonol. 2020 Jun;33(2):69-79. doi: 10.1089/ped.2019.1137. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease with complex pathogenesis. Natural flavonoids exhibit strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in many human diseases. In this study, the potential bioactive effect of quercetin, a polyphenolic plant-derived flavonoid, on the AD model of human keratinocytes was evaluated. Methods: Immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes were treated with interleukin (IL) -4, -13, and tumor necrosis factor-α to mimic AD features in vitro. Then effects of quercetin on inflammation, oxidative stress, and wound healing were assessed. Results: Pretreatment of the cells with 1.5 μM of quercetin significantly reduced the expression of AD-induced IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, while it strongly enhanced the expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), SOD2, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and IL-10. Quercetin promoted wound healing by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which was supported by the upregulation of Twist and Snail mRNA expression. Unexpectedly, quercetin pretreatment of AD-induced cells upregulated the mRNA expression of occludin and E-cadherin, while downregulating matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP2, and MMP9 expression. The pretreatment inhibited AD-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2 MAPK) and the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), but it did not alter signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) phosphorylation. Conclusion: Quercetin may serve as a potential bioactive substance for atopic dermatitis-related symptoms through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities along with its acceleration of wound healing via ERK1/2 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; inflammation; keratinocyte; quercetin; wound healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dermatitis, Atopic* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Keratinocytes
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Quercetin* / pharmacology
  • Quercetin* / therapeutic use
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Quercetin