Effect of Sophora flavescens Extract on Reinforcing Skin Barrier and Alleviating Inflammation

• Published in: 대한화장품학회지, 46(4) pp. 361 - 369
• Main Authors: 노경백(바이오스펙트럼, 신승우(바이오스펙트럼, 윤소현(바이오스펙트럼, 원진배(바이오스펙트럼, 오세영(바이오스펙트럼, 김준오, 박덕훈(바이오스펙트럼, 정은선
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 사단법인 대한화장품학회 01.12.2020
• Subjects: 피부과학
• ISSN: 1226-2587; 2288-9507
• DOI: 10.15230/SCSK.2020.46.4.361

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and chronic pruritus. AD has a complex etiology that includes genetic, immunological, and environmental factors that cause skin barrier abnormalities and immune dysfunctions. Sophora flavescens (SF) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, but little research has been conducted on its anti-AD efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SF extract (SFE) on improving skin barrier function and immune abnormalities, which are the main symptoms of AD. SFE has the capacity to enhance the formation of cornified envelope (CE) that plays an important role in the skin barrier function. In addition, it was confirmed that SFE increased the expression of hyaluronic acid related to skin moisture. The effect of SFE against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which increases specifically in AD lesions, confirmed that SFE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by S. aureus. Furthermore, SFE was shown to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by substance P (SP), the cause of skin neurogenic inflammation. These results demonstrate that SFE could be one of potential candidate agent for the treatment of AD by improving the skin barrier function and immune responses. KCI Citation Count: 0