Alkannin, HSP70 Inducer, Protects against UVB-Induced Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes

Yoko Yoshihisa, Mariame Ali Hassan, Yukihiro Furusawa, Yoshiaki Tabuchi, Takashi Kondo, Tadamichi Shimizu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Alkannin is an active constituent from the root extract of Alkanna tinctoria of the Boraginaceae family and it may have utility as a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) inducer in living organisms. Here, the effects of alkannin-induced HSP70 on ultraviolet (UV) B (40 mJ/cm2)-induced apoptosis were investigated in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Pretreatment of cells with alkannin (1 μM) caused significant inhibition of UVB-induced apoptosis and caspase-3 cleavage. On the other hand, the addition of KNK437 (HSP70 inhibitor) reversed the action of alkannin increasing UVB-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, differences in gene expression associated with the suppression of UVB-induced apoptosis in the presence of alkannin were investigated using Gene Chip assay. Our results indicate that alkannin suppresses UVB-induced apoptosis through the induction of HSP70 in human keratinocytes, and therefore, we suggest the usefulness of using alkannin as an antiaging agent.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere47903
JournalPloS one
Volume7
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Oct 22
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
  • General

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