Effects of Aloe vera Flower Extract and Its Active Constituent Isoorientin on Skin Moisturization via Regulating Involucrin Expression: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies

Abstract

Skin moisturization is very crucial for maintaining the flexibility, viscoelasticity, and differentiation of the epidermis and its deprivation causes several diseases from dry skin to dermatitis. Aloe vera, a miracle plant having diverse medicinal properties including skin moisturization effects. This study investigated for the first time the molecular mechanism targeting skin moisturization effects of the Aloe vera flower and its major active constituent. By treating human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) with Aloe vera flower water extract (AFWE), we found that AFWE upregulated epidermal involucrin by activating the expression of protein kinase C, p38, and ERK 1/2. Additionally, it modulated filaggrin, increased aquaporin expression, and hyaluronan synthesis via a balanced regulation of HAS1 and HYAL1 protein. Similarly, it was able to protect UVB-induced photodamage. Western blot analysis, ELISA, and qRT- PCR were performed to evaluate various epidermal differentiation markers and moisturization-related factors on human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). TLC and HPLC were used to detect and analyze the chemical constituents. Among them, we found that an active component of Aloe vera flower, isoorientin (IO) has a high binding affinity to all of its targeted proteins such as involucrin, PKC, P38, etc. through molecular docking assay. This study indicated that the Aloe vera flower and its active constituent, IO can be used as a prominent ingredient to enhance skin barrier function and improve its related pathologies.

Aloe juvenna Brandham & S.Carter as α‐Amylase Inhibitor and Hypoglycaemic Agent with Anti‐inflammatory Properties for Diabetes Management

“…Orientin was previously isolated from Aloe vera [40] . Vitexin is well known constituent of Aloe vera flowers [42] . Vitexin was also isolated in this study.…”

“…[40] Vitexin is well known constituent of Aloe vera flowers. [42] Vitexin was also isolated in this study. Two chromone derivatives (Peaks 16 and 20) were detected at R t 15.15 and 16.69 min.…”

“…Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H and 13 C NMR), they were characterized as lupeol ( 23 ) and vitexin ( 7 ) as compared to the data literature (Figure 2). [47,48] Both phytoconstituents were previously isolated from A. vera [42,45] …”

Identification of Phytoconstituents as Potent Inhibitors of Casein Kinase-1 Alpha Using Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

“…Molecular docking-based virtual screening of all the phytoconstituents from the IMP-PAT was carried out to find high-affinity binding partners of CK1α. The resultant output generated the affinities and docked poses for each compound [30,54,77]. The compounds were filtered out based on their binding affinity towards CK1α.…”

Dihydromyrcenol Modulates Involucrin Expression through the Akt Signaling Pathway

“…However, the discovery of barrier proteins has led to the understanding that these proteins can be directly regulated, giving rise to strategies targeting skin barrier proteins at the cellular level [4][5][6]. This shift in understanding has prompted several recent studies to explore natural substances capable of modulating barrier proteins and, subsequently, barrier function [7][8][9]. Despite these efforts, it appears that developments in 2 of 17 this field are still at an early stage, and there are currently few natural compounds that are widely accepted for increasing skin barrier proteins.…”