The skin hydration and anti-inflammatory potential of zerumbone, a natural sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet, enhanced Src/ERK-mediated HAS-2/AQP-3 and inhibited NFκB/AP-1 expression in UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes

Abstract

We assayed skin hydration and anti-inflammatory efficacies of zerumbone (Zer, 2.5–10 μM), a natural sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet, using non– or UVB (30 mJ/cm2)-irradiated keratinocytes (HaCaT). & Zer increased cell viability, upregulated hyaluronic acid, and inhibited ROS generation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Zer promoted antioxidant Nrf2 nuclear translocation resulting in HO-1 and γ-GCLC expression. Zer promotes skin hyaluronic acid by increasing protein and mRNA expression of HAS-2 and AQP-3 in non– or UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Zer increased Src and ERK phosphorylation. Src silencing or ERK inhibitor (PD98059) diminished Zer-mediated skin hydration, as evidenced by decreased HAS-2 and AQP-3 expression. Interestingly, UVB-induced Src/ERK inhibition was reversed by Zer or N-acetylcysteine. Additionally, Zer inhibited inflammatory iNOS, COX-2, and IL-1β expression through NFκB (p65) and AP-1 (c-Jun/c-Fos) pathway in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. HaCaT cells treated with Zer enhanced the growth factors PDGF-A, VEGF, and EGFR expressions. Zerumbone might be utilized in cosmetic formulations.