Alleviating skin barrier disruption, skin inflammation and pruritus: a moisturizing spray containing β-glucan and panthenol

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Chronic pruritus is induced by a variety of causes and is an extremely common clinical problem. Previous studies have shown that many inflammatory skin diseases are associated with dry skin-induced pruritus. However, the relationship between skin inflammation, skin barrier function, and pruritus remains unclarified. The present study aimed to explore this relationship using an acetone-ether-water (AEW) mouse model, and to investigate the effects of the combined application of β-glucan and panthenol in a moisturizing spray in this mouse model. Methods: A dry skin-induced chronic pruritus mouse model was established by repeated AEW treatment of the skin. The pruritic behavior, skin barrier function, and expression of molecules related to pruritus and inflammation in topical lesions were measured. The effects of a spray containing β-glucan and panthenol were observed. Results: AEW treatment triggered spontaneous scratching with significantly increased numbers of scratching bouts, and disrupted the skin barrier with a significant increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values and a significant decrease in filaggrin gene (FLG) expression (P < 0.01). AEW treatment also significantly increased the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as the pruritis-associated molecules nerve growth factor (NGF), cathepsin S (CTSS), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the skin (P < 0.01). Application of the spray containing β-glucan and panthenol significantly alleviated these responses, resulting in a reduced number of scratching bouts in 1 hour, reduced TEWL values, increased FLG mRNA expression, and reduced mRNA levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, TNF-α, CTSS, TSLP, and NGF in skin lesions (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present results suggest a relationship between damaged skin barrier function, pruritus, and inflammation. Adding β-glucan and panthenol to moisturizing skincare products may alleviate pruritus induced by dry skin, improve the damaged skin barrier function, and reduce the inflammatory state in local skin areas.