Ethyl acetate fraction of the root of rubia cordifolia L. inhibits keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and promotes keratinocyte differentiation in vivo: potential application for psoriasis treatment

Abstract

Psoriasis is a skin disease associated with hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes. Our previous studies have identified the root of Rubia cordifolia L. as a potent antiproliferative and apoptogenic agent in cultured HaCaT cells (IC(50) 1.4 microg/ml). In the present study, ethanolic extract of Radix Rubiae was fractioned sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol and water. EA fraction was found to possess most potent antiproliferative action on HaCaT cells (IC(50) 0.9 microg/ml). Mechanistic study revealed that EA fraction induced apoptosis on HaCaT cells, as it was capable of inducing apoptotic morphological changes. Annexin V-PI staining assay also demonstrated that EA fraction significantly augmented HaCaT apoptosis. In addition, EA fraction decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The standardized EA fraction was formulated into topical gel and its keratinocyte-modulating action was tested on mouse tail model. EA fraction dose-dependently increased the number and thickness of granular layer and epidermal thickness on mouse tail skin, indicative of the keratinocyte differentiation-inducing activity. Taking the in vitro and in vivo findings together, the present preclinical study confirms that EA fraction is a promising antipsoriatic agent warranting further development for psoriasis treatment.

Mollugin Inhibits the Inflammatory Response in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages by Blocking the Janus Kinase-Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription Signaling Pathway

“…These roots are usually used to treat inflammation of the joints, dysmenorrhea, hematorrhea, hemostasis, and psoriasis. 5,6) Mollugin, the major and index component determining the quality of Rubia cordifolia L., was reported to have several pharmacological effects, such as cytotoxic and anti-tumor activities, 7) anti-platelet aggregation activity, 8) and antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. 9) Recently, Kim and Jeong reported that mollugin might be a new drug candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as colon inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.…”

Assessment ofin vitroantipsoriatic activity of selected Indian medicinal plants

“…The antiproliferative activity of CJPE was comparable with that exhibited by the Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. hydroalcoholic extract (IC 50 value ¼ 77.5 mg/ml), ethanolic extract of yellow birch obtained by 48 h maceration (IC 50 value ¼ 94.80 mg/ml), and was better than black spruce extract obtained by hot water extraction (IC 50 value ¼ 94.80 mg/ml); however, it possessed less activity than the root extract of R. cordifolia (IC 50 value ¼ 1.4 mg/ml), Realgar (IC 50 value ¼ 6.6 mg/ml), and the rhizome of C. chinensis (IC 50 value ¼ 23.4 mg/ml) (Lin et al, 2010;Prepare et al, 1995;Tan et al, 2011;Tse et al, 2006;Zhou et al, 2012).…”

“…Its impact on the quality of life is found to be nearly similar to that associated with other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and depression (Korte et al, 2004;Krueger et al, 2001). (Zingiberaceae), etc., are found to be effective for the treatment of psoriasis (Koo & Arain, 1998;Koo & Desai, 2003;Lin et al, 2010;Prepare et al, 1995;Tan et al, 2011;Tse et al, 2006;Zhou et al, 2012). In this study, four Indian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus simplex Retz.…”

Dermocosmetics for Dry Skin: A New Role for Botanical Extracts

“…In BALB/c mice, the effect of a R. cordifolia extract-containing gel was evaluated after 4 weeks of application on the mouse tails. The gel with 5% R. cordifolia extract significantly increased the thickness of the granular layer and the epidermis as opposed to the vehicle [27] .…”

“…An ethyl acetate extract obtained from R. cordifolia roots displayed antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects on HaCaT keratinocytes [27] . In BALB/c mice, the effect of a R. cordifolia extract-containing gel was evaluated after 4 weeks of application on the mouse tails.…”