Iris Pallida Extract Alleviates Cortisol-Induced Decrease in Type 1 Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Syntheses in Human...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Cosmetology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Excess cortisol negatively impacts skin health, leading to degradation of essential components.
• Iris pallida (IP) possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting potential skin benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the inhibitory effect of Iris pallida extract (IPE) on cortisol activity in human skin cells.
• To assess IPE's potential to counteract cortisol-induced skin damage.

Main Methods:

• Human skin cells were exposed to cortisol, with and without IPE treatment.
• Procollagen type 1, hyaluronic acid (HA) levels, and gene expression (COL1A1, HAS2, HAS3) were analyzed.
• Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocation was monitored.
• High-performance liquid chromatography identified key IPE components.

Main Results:

• IPE significantly recovered cortisol-induced decreases in procollagen type 1 (106%) and HA (31%).
• IPE normalized gene expression of COL1A1, HAS2, and HAS3 suppressed by cortisol.
• IPE inhibited cortisol-induced GR nuclear translocation, similar to mifepristone.
• The isoflavone irigenin in IPE restored collagen type 1 levels by 82%.

Conclusions:

• IPE acts as a cortisol inhibitor in human skin cells.
• IPE prevents collagen and HA degradation by blocking GR nuclear translocation.
• IPE shows potential as a cosmetic or herbal ingredient for managing stress-related skin changes.