Abstract
The plant kingdom is a rich source of secondary metabolites with numerous properties, including the potential to modify keratinocyte biology. Keratinocytes are important epithelial cells that play a protective role against various chemical, physical and biological stimuli, and participate in reactive oxygen scavenging and inflammation and wound healing processes. The epidermal cell response may be modulated by phytochemicals via changes in signal transduction pathways. Plant extracts and single secondary compounds can possess a high antioxidant capacity and may suppress reactive oxygen species release, inhibit pro-apoptotic proteins and apoptosis and activate antioxidant enzymes in keratinocytes. Moreover, selected plant extracts and single compounds also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and exposure may result in limited production of adhesion molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes. In addition, plant extracts and single compounds may promote keratinocyte motility and proliferation via the regulation of growth factor production and enhance wound healing. While such plant compounds may modulate keratinocyte functions, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed on their mechanisms of action, and more specific toxicity and clinical studies are needed to ensure their effectiveness and safety for use on human skin.
Highlights
Plants produce a range of secondary metabolites
The aim of the present paper is to review the role of selected plant extracts and single compounds as modulators of keratinocyte biology, paying particular attention to stimuli, specific receptors, protein release and signal transduction pathways
To give an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the topic, i.e., in vitro treatment of human keratinocytes with oxidants, pro-inflammatory agents and UV radiation followed by exposure to different plant extracts, papers were selected from those included in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science over the past 10 years
Summary
Plants produce a range of secondary metabolites. These play a crucial role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and have a strong impact on other living organisms, including humans. Plant extracts and single compounds may modulate the release of various growth factors, chemokines or neuropeptides by keratinocytes, with exposure to molecules of plant origin possibly enhancing keratinocyte migratory and proliferation rates This effect accelerates the wound healing process [7]. The aim of the present paper is to review the role of selected plant extracts and single compounds as modulators of keratinocyte biology, paying particular attention to stimuli, specific receptors, protein release and signal transduction pathways. It examines the potential of phytochemicals as ROS scavengers, important anti-inflammatory agents and as factors for mediating wound healing.
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