Anti-Inflammatory, Barrier-Protective, and Antiwrinkle Properties of Agastache rugosa Kuntze in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

Abstract

This work aimed to assess the skin-beneficial properties of Agastache rugosa Kuntze, an herbal medication used to treat different types of disorders in traditional folk medicine. The total phenolic compounds and total antiradical, nitrite scavenging, superoxide scavenging, antielastase, and antihyaluronidase activities of a hot water extract of A. rugosa Kuntze leaves (ARE) were spectrophotometrically determined. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was fluorometrically quantitated using 2 ′ ,7 ′ -dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and filaggrin were evaluated using Western analysis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure filaggrin mRNA. Caspase-14 activity was determined using a fluorogenic substrate. ARE contained the total phenolic content of 38.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and exhibited 2,2 ′ -diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide radical, and nitrite scavenging activities with the SC50 values of 2.9, 1.4, and 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. ARE exerted suppressive activities on nitric oxide (NO) and ROS levels elevated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HaCaT keratinocytes. It attenuated the LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS. ARE augmented the UV-B-reduced filaggrin expression on both protein and mRNA levels and was capable of upregulating the UV-B-reduced caspase-14 activity. ARE inhibited in vitro elastase and hyaluronidase activities associated with the wrinkling process. ARE, at the concentrations used, did not interfere with the viability of HaCaT keratinocytes. These findings preliminarily imply that the leaves of A. rugosa possess desirable cosmetic potentials, such as anti-inflammatory, barrier protective, and antiwrinkle activities, which infers their skin healing potentials.

Changes in Human Electroencephalographic Activity in Response to Agastache rugosa Essential Oil Exposure

“…& C.A.Mey.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae) is a perennial herb and is widely distributed in East Asian Countries, including Korea, Japan, and China [ 17 , 18 ]. In Korea, A. rugosa is commonly called Korean mint (Baechohyang).…”

“…A. rugosa has been traditionally used to cure various ailments, including anorexia, anxiety, bacterial infections, colds, cholera, diarrhea, dispel damp, fever, gas, halitosis, headaches, halitosis, nausea, miasma, and vomiting, etc. [ 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Previous studies indicated that the crude extracts and compounds of A. rugosa possess numerous therapeutic properties, such as antimicrobial [ 23 ], anti-inflammatory [ 24 ], cardiovascular [ 25 , 26 ], antioxidant [ 27 ], anti-atherogenic [ 28 ], anti-HIV [ 29 ], melanogenesis [ 30 ], anticancer [ 31 ], anti-photoaging [ 32 ], anti-adipogenic, and anti-lipogenic effects [ 33 ].…”

“…EEG calculates these neuronal electrical activities and represents them as waves. The EEG spectra bands were categorized into five major waves: delta (0-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz) beta (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), and gamma (>30 Hz). Generally, the alterations in brain wave activities are highly interlinked with specific functions of the brain [13,16].…”

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oils from Korean Native Populations of Agastache rugosa (Korean Mint)

“…Kuntze is an important aromatic edible plant in Korea that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The A. rugosa plant is mainly found in East Asia, China, Japan, and Taiwan [ 1 ]. The common name of A. rugosa is Korean mint (baechohyang) and its aerial parts contain essential oils with a unique fragrance.…”

“…Therefore, the leaves of A. rugosa are used to enhance the aroma and taste of Korean dishes, such as salads and soups [ 2 , 3 ]. In traditional Korean medicine, A. rugosa is used for the treatment of numerous diseases, especially anxiety, cholera, diarrhea, fever, and nausea [ 1 , 4 ]. Previously, several studies reported that A. rugosa contains a variety of bioactive metabolites that prevent inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, photoaging, adipogenesis, etc.…”