Tumor Suppressive Function of NQO1 in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Cells.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer that significantly decreases the quality of life. It is known that external stimulus such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces cutaneous SCC via provoking oxidative stress. NAD(P)H dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) is a ubiquitous flavoenzyme that functions as a guardian against oxidative stress.

Antitumor Effect of Albendazole on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Cells.

Drug repurposing and/or repositioning is an alternative method to develop new treatment for certain diseases. Albendazole was originally developed as an anthelmintic medication, and it has been used to treat a variety of parasitic infestations. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of albendazole and putative action mechanism.

Inhibition of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Induced Sebum Production by Bilobetin in Cultured Human Sebocytes.

Background: Sebocytes are the major cells of sebaceous gland. The essential role of sebocytes is the production of sebum, a specific lipid mixture, that covers the body surface and provides the barrier function. At puberty, sebum production increases under the effects of various stimuli including androgens and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

Inhibition of Poly(I:C)-Induced Inflammation by Salvianolic Acid A in Skin Keratinocytes.

Background: Skin keratinocytes participate actively in inducing immune responses when external pathogens are introduced, thereby contributing to elimination of pathogens. However, in condition where the excessive inflammation is occurred, chronic skin disease such as psoriasis can be provoked.

Objective: We tried to screen the putative therapeutics for inflammatory skin disease, and found that salvianolic acid A (SAA) has an inhibitory effect on keratinocyte inflammatory reaction.

Inhibition of collagen synthesis by IWR-1 in normal and keloid-derived skin fibroblasts.

Aims: Keloid is a benign tumor that is characterized by the hyperproliferation of dermal fibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) especially the collagen. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of keloid. In this study, we investigated the effects of IWR-1, a small molecule inhibitor for Wnt/β-catenin signaling via the inhibition of tankyrase, on production of collagen and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in dermal fibroblasts.

Rosmarinic acid inhibits poly(I:C)-induced inflammatory reaction of epidermal keratinocytes.

Aims: Keratinocytes are the predominant cells in the epidermis, exerting their primary role of physical barrier through sophisticated differentiation process. In addition, keratinocytes contribute to the activation of innate immunity, providing the surveillant role against external pathogens. It has been known that chronic skin inflammatory disease such as psoriasis can be provoked by viral pathogens including double-stranded RNA.

Glycyrrhizin improves p75NTR-associated sciatic nerve regeneration in a BALB/c mouse model.

Glycyrrhizin has a role in immune regulation in the central nervous system, but its impact on sciatic nerve injury had not previously been reported. In this study, a BALB/c mouse model of sciatic nerve injury was used to explore the role of glycyrrhizin in sciatic nerve repair and its underlying mechanism. Glycyrrhizin with intragastric gavage of 10 and 20 mg/kg weight per day (mid- and high-dose, respectively) inhibited p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) expression at the protein and mRNA levels versus the 5 mg/kg (low-dose) group and control (0.