Propolis suppresses atopic dermatitis through targeting the MKK4 pathway

Ye Ryeong Cho, Eui Jeong Han, Eun Heo, Arachchige Maheshika Kumari Jayasinghe, Jihyun Won, Soohwan Lee, Taegun Kim, Sung Kuk Kim, Seokwon Lim, Soon Ok Woo, Gyoonhee Han, Wonku Kang, Ginnae Ahn, Sanguine Byun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Propolis is a natural resinous substance made by bees through mixing various plant sources. Propolis has been widely recognized as a functional food due to its diverse range of beneficial bioactivities. However, the therapeutic effects of consuming propolis against atopic dermatitis (AD) remain largely unknown. The current study aimed to investigate the potential efficacy of propolis against AD and explore the active compound as well as the direct molecular target. In HaCaT keratinocytes, propolis inhibited TNF-α-induced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 secretion. It also led to a reduction in chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), while restoring the levels of barrier proteins, filaggrin and involucrin. Propolis exhibited similar effects in AD-like human skin, leading to the suppression of AD markers and the restoration of barrier proteins. In DNCB-induced mice, oral administration of propolis attenuated AD symptoms, improved barrier function, and reduced scratching frequency and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In addition, propolis reversed the mRNA levels of AD-related markers in mouse dorsal skin. These effects were attributed to caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), the active compound identified by comparing major components of propolis. Mechanistic studies revealed that CAPE as well as propolis could directly and selectively target MKK4. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that propolis may be used as a functional food agent for the treatment of AD.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2119
JournalBioFactors
Volume51
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025 Jan 1

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). BioFactors published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry

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