Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (<i>Hamamelis virginiana</i> L.) Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema

Abstract

Hamamelis virginiana L. bark extract is a traditional remedy for skin affections, including atopic dermatitis/eczema (AD). Hamamelis preparations contain tannins, including hamamelitannin (HT), although their pharmacological role in AD is still unknown. This study aimed to study the rational for its topical use by considering the impact of crucial biomarkers on AD pathogenesis. A standardized extract (HVE) (0.5–125 μg/mL) was compared to hamamelitannin (HT), its main compound (0.5–5 μg/mL), in a model of human keratinocytes (HaCaTs), challenged with an AD-like cytokine milieu (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4). HVE inhibited the release of mediators involved in skin autoimmunity (IL-6 and IL-17C) and allergy (TSLP, IL-6, CCL26, and MMP-9) with a concentration-dependent fashion (IC50s Hamamelis virginiana in the control of AD symptoms, such as itch and skin barrier impairment, supporting the relevance of the whole phytocomplex.

Keywords

• <i>Hamamelis virginiana</i>
• witch hazel
• phytotherapy
• atopic dermatitis
• eczema
• allergy