Background
The flavonoid prunin is a flavanone glycoside found in cherry trees, including the flowering cherry Prunus yedoensis Matsumura (Rosacea). Although this compound has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and blood-sugar-lowering effects, no studies address its use in cosmetics. This study investigates whether prunin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in cells exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
Methods
The effects of prunin were assessed by measuring cell viability using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay and free radical damage using the dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay as well as by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results
UVB-induced decrease in cell viability diminished by pretreatment with prunin in a concentration-dependent manner. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantitative analysis revealed that the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), which is associated with the inflammatory response, and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and protease-activated receptor (PAR2) decreased with prunin pretreatment in a concentration-dependent manner.
Conclusions
Prunin increased the survival rate of UVB-treated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Prunin protected the HaCaT cells, eliminated ROS, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, prunin is worthy of investigation for use as a cosmetic ingredient that protects the skin and has anti-inflammatory effects.