Abstract
Alterations of skin homeostasis are widely diffused in our everyday life both due to accidental injuries, such as wounds and burns, and physiological conditions, such as late-stage diabetes, dermatitis, or psoriasis. These events are locally characterized by an intense inflammatory response, a high generation of harmful free radicals, or an impairment in the immune response regulation, which can profoundly change the skin tissue’ repair process, vulnerability, and functionality. Moreover, diabetes diffusion, antibiotic resistance, and abuse of aggressive soaps and disinfectants following the COVID-19 emergency could be causes for the future spreading of skin disorders. In the last years, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives have been investigated and applied in several research fields for their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activities. First, in this study, we give an overview of these natural molecules’ current source and applications. Afterwards, we review their potential role as valid alternatives to the current therapies, supporting the management and rebalancing of skin disorders and diseases at different levels. Also, we will introduce the recent advances in the design of biomaterials loaded with these phenolic compounds, specifically suitable for skin disorders treatments. Lastly, we will suggest future perspectives for introducing hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives in treating skin disorders.
Highlights
Skin is the tissue dedicated to the protection of the inner part of the body
cinnamic acid (CinAc) is identified as a compounds safe compound (GRAS, generally bon atoms, naturally synthetized in plants, with phenylalanine and recognized as safe), by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, and it has been used as an tyrosine as precursors
Assessed the trans-CinAc dermato-protective properties in a UVA-induced photoaging model. They observed that pre-treatment with 20–100 mM trans-CinAc significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in new-born foreskin cells subjected to UVA (3 J/cm2 ) stimulation, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-3 upregulation by supporting nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)
Summary
Skin is the tissue dedicated to the protection of the inner part of the body. It acts as a sensor for most of our sensations, such as the sense of temperature and pressure. Diabetic ulcers, burns, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are the most diffused and alarming impairs of the skin tissue involving thousands of millions of people worldwide [5,6,7] These conditions are connected with either genetic factors, metabolic alterations, environmental factors and lifestyle, injuries, or a combination thereof. In dermatitis and psoriasis, the physiological alterations of the skin are attributed to upregulation of the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as chemokines and cytokines, requiring the use of anti-inflammatories such as corticosteroids [13,14] In this scenario, natural compounds are gaining attention in the scientific and industrial communities due to their biocompatibility, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties [15,16,17,18]. We will report on the newest sources and uses of hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, in fields far away from the biomedical one, their potential employment for the treatment of some of the most diffused skin alterations, and how micro- and nano-technologies can help to speed up their introduction in the biomedicine world and ameliorate their efficacy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
