Estrogen is essential for the skin to maintain its physiological function. The binding of estrogen to the estrogen receptor (ER) activates gene transcription, which has biological effects on the target tissue. Estrogen levels and ER expression are known to decrease with aging and exposure to ultraviolet light (UV); therefore, increased estrogen levels and ER expression may improve age-related changes in the skin. Rehmannia root has been reported to have blood circulation-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects; however, few studies have reported the effects of Rehmannia root on skin. In this study, we examined the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino root extract (RE) on ER expression, and estrogen, RE, or their related ingredients increased ER expression in human epidermal keratinocytes, human dermal fibroblasts, and skin models. Moreover, RE increased the production of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor β1, and epidermal growth factor. The mixture of estrogen and RE improved extracellular matrix (ECM) production to a greater degree than estrogen and RE independently. Although high population doubling levels (PDL) and UV irradiation downregulated ER expression, RE upregulated ER expression in high PDL cells and UV irradiated cells. In addition, RE increased the expression of epidermal differentiation marker proteins compared to their expression levels in the absence of RE. The collective findings suggest that RE aids in the prevention of skin aging by upregulating the ER expression that has been decreased by aging and UV and promoting estrogen activity, ECM production, and epidermal differentiation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.