Anti-inflammatory effect of taxifolin in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ induced HaCaT human keratinocytes

Taxifolin, a bioactive flavonoid, has been attracting attention as a beneficial and valuable phytochemical due to its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, an improvement effect of taxifolin against psoriasis has been reported in an animal experimental model. However, its exact mechanism of action at molecular and cellular levels is not known. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify the anti-inflammatory effect of taxifolin on psoriasis at cellular/molecular level using HaCaT human keratinocytes. First, a CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate cytotoxicity of taxifolin. Results revealed that taxifolin was a relatively safe material, showing no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 300 mu g/mL. In TNF-alpha-induced HaCaT cells, taxifolin significantly inhibited mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 alpha, IL-1-beta, and IL-6) and chemokines (CXCL8 and CCL20). The ability of taxifolin to regulation expression of inflammatory cytokine genes was associated with phosphorylation of I kappa B/STAT3 protein. In addition, taxifolin inhibited expression levels of IL-1 alpha/beta, IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL20 by inhibiting I kappa B/STAT3 protein phosphorylation upon stimulation of TNF-alpha, IL-17A, and IFN-gamma. These results show that taxifolin has the potential to be developed as a treatment for psoriasis and skin inflammation.

Automated summary

Taxifolin, a bioactive flavonoid, exhibits antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to improve psoriasis in animal experimental models. This study investigated the molecular and cellular mechanism of taxifolin's anti-inflammatory effect on psoriasis using HaCaT human keratinocytes. Results indicated that taxifolin had no cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This inhibition was correlated with the phosphorylation of I kappa B/STAT3 protein. Moreover, taxifolin also inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines upon stimulation of various factors. These findings suggest that taxifolin holds promise as a potential treatment for psoriasis and skin inflammation.