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Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
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Worenine Prevents Solar Ultraviolet-Induced Sunburn by Inhibiting JNK2

Juanjuan Xiao1,2, Hui Lu3,4, Tengfei Ma4

  • 1Cancer Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|August 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Worenine effectively inhibits the JNK signaling pathway, reducing inflammation and protecting against sunburn. This compound shows promise as a therapeutic agent for solar ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Excessive solar ultraviolet (SUV) radiation causes skin damage, including dermatitis and photoaging.
  • SUV-induced sunburn involves the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway.
  • This pathway upregulates pro-inflammatory genes like IL-6 and TNF-α, contributing to dermatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential therapeutic agents for preventing SUV-induced sunburn.
  • To investigate worenine as a candidate drug for inhibiting sunburn.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of worenine's action.

Main Methods:

  • Screening for potential sunburn inhibitors.
  • Evaluating worenine's effect on the JNK-ATF2/c-jun signaling pathway in cell culture and in vivo.
  • Assessing worenine's inhibitory activity against JNK2 using MST and kinase assays.

Main Results:

  • Worenine demonstrated inhibition of the JNK-ATF2/c-jun signaling pathway.
  • Worenine suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α.
  • In vitro assays confirmed that worenine binds to and inhibits JNK2 activity.

Conclusions:

  • Worenine effectively inhibits the JNK signaling pathway, a key mediator of sunburn.
  • Worenine reduces the expression of inflammatory markers associated with sunburn.
  • Worenine is a promising drug candidate for preventing and treating SUV-induced sunburn.
Keywords:
JNK2SUVTCMsunburntraditional Chinese medicineworenine

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