Antioxidant Opuntia ficus-indica extract activates AHR-NRF2 signaling and upregulates filaggrin and loricrin expression in human keratinocytes

Nakahara, T. et al. (2015) Antioxidant Opuntia ficus-indica extract activates AHR-NRF2 signaling and upregulates filaggrin and loricrin expression in human keratinocytes. Journal of Medicinal Food, 18(10), pp. 1143-1149. (doi: 10.1089/jmf.2014.3396) (PMID:26061570)

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Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a cactus species widely used as an anti-inflammatory, antilipidemic, and hypoglycemic agent. It has been shown that OFI extract (OFIE) inhibits oxidative stress in animal models of diabetes and hepatic disease; however, its antioxidant mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that OFIE exhibited potent antioxidant activity through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and the downstream antioxidant enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes challenged with tumor necrosis factor α or benzo[α]pyrene. The antioxidant capacity of OFIE was canceled in NRF2 knockdown keratinocytes. OFIE exerted this NRF2-NQO1 upregulation through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Moreover, the ligation of AHR by OFIE upregulated the expression of epidermal barrier proteins: filaggrin and loricrin. OFIE also prevented TH2 cytokine-mediated downregulation of filaggrin and loricrin expression in an AHR-dependent manner because it was canceled in AHR knockdown keratinocytes. Antioxidant OFIE is a potent activator of AHR-NRF2-NQO1 signaling and may be beneficial in treating barrier-disrupted skin disorders.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hachisuka, Dr Junichi
Authors: Nakahara, T., Mitoma, C., Hashimoto-Hachiya, A., Takahara, M., Tsuji, G., Uchi, H., Yan, X., Hachisuka, J., Chiba, T., Esaki, H., Kido-Nakahara, M., and Furue, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Journal of Medicinal Food
Publisher:Mary Ann Liebert
ISSN:1096-620X
ISSN (Online):1557-7600
Published Online:18 May 2015

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