Ursolic Acid Formulations Effectively Induce Apoptosis and Limit Inflammation in the Psoriasis Models In Vitro
Ewa Bielecka,
Natalia Zubrzycka,
Karolina Marzec,
Anna Maksylewicz,
Maja Sochalska,
Agnieszka Kulawik-Pióro,
Elwira Lasoń,
Karolina Śliwa,
Magdalena Malinowska,
Elżbieta Sikora,
Krzysztof Nowak,
Małgorzata Miastkowska,
Tomasz Kantyka
Affiliations
Ewa Bielecka
Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Natalia Zubrzycka
Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Karolina Marzec
Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Anna Maksylewicz
Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Maja Sochalska
Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Agnieszka Kulawik-Pióro
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Elwira Lasoń
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Karolina Śliwa
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Magdalena Malinowska
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Elżbieta Sikora
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Krzysztof Nowak
Wellnanopharm, Jerzego Samuela Bandtkego 19, 30-129 Cracow, Poland
Małgorzata Miastkowska
Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Tomasz Kantyka
Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Psoriasis, a prevalent inflammatory skin disorder affecting a significant percentage of the global population, poses challenges in its management, necessitating the exploration of novel cost-effective and widely accessible therapeutic options. This study investigates the potential of ursolic acid (UA), a triterpenoid known for its anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic properties, in addressing psoriasis-related inflammation and keratinocyte hyperproliferation. The research involved in vitro models employing skin and immune cells to assess the effects of UA on psoriasis-associated inflammation. The presented research demonstrates the limiting effects of UA on IL-6 and IL-8 production in response to the inflammatory stimuli and limiting effects on the expression of psoriatic biomarkers S100A7, S100A8, and S100A9. Further, the study reveals promising outcomes, demonstrating UA’s ability to mitigate inflammatory responses and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes by the induction of non-inflammatory apoptosis, as well as a lack of the negative influence on other cell types, including immune cells. Considering the limitations of UA’s poor solubility, hybrid systems were designed to enhance its bioavailability and developed as hybrid nano-emulsion and bi-gel topical systems to enhance bioavailability and effectiveness of UA. One of them in particular–bi-gel–demonstrated high effectiveness in limiting the pathological response of keratinocytes to pro-psoriatic stimulation; this was even more prominent than with ursolic acid alone. Our results indicate that topical formulations of ursolic acid exhibit desirable anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and may be further employed for topical psoriasis treatment.
