Frontiers in Medicine (Jun 2022)

Solamargine Alleviated UVB-Induced Inflammation and Melanogenesis in Human Keratinocytes and Melanocytes via the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway, a Promising Agent for Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

  • Juemin Zhao,
  • Yanjun Dan,
  • Ziqi Liu,
  • Qianqian Wang,
  • Min Jiang,
  • Chengfeng Zhang,
  • Hamm-Ming Sheu,
  • Chrang-Shi Lin,
  • Chrang-Shi Lin,
  • Leihong Xiang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.812653
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common acquired pigmentary disorder occurring after skin inflammation or injury. Ultraviolet B irradiation could exaggerate PIH clinically due to its effect on promoting cutaneous inflammation and melanogenesis in keratinocytes and melanocytes, respectively. Solamargine (SM), a steroidal alkaloid glycoside extracted from Solanum undatum, significantly inhibits Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IFN-γ, as well as paracrine melanogenic factors ET-1, α-MSH, and bFGF in human keratinocytes. Additionally, SM significantly attenuated UVB-induced melanin synthesis in human epidermal melanocytes through down-regulation of tyrosinase activity and expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase. SM exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes through the p38 MAPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. With its anti-inflammatory and whitening effect, SM may improve PIH through paracrine regulations of keratinocytes and direct action on melanocytes, making it a promising agent for PIH.

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