Wheatgrass and aronia extract combination offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits in inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and could be a natural therapeutic alternative.
Atopic dermatitis (AD), characterized by dry and sensitive skin, pruritus, and eczema, is an inflammatory skin disease typically characterized by cycles of remission and relapse. Approximately 20% of children and adolescents and 5% of adults worldwide are affected by AD, and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing nations.
Atopic dermatitis is controlled by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines through the nuclear factor kappa B or mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, as well as the release of oxidative stress-related factors through the NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 signaling pathway.
Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L., TA) and aronia (Aronia melanocarpa, AR) are both renowned for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities; however, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of a TA and AR (TAAR) mixed extract in an AD model has not been studied.
This study, published in Antioxidants, aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects and molecular mechanism of TAAR extract against lipopolysaccharide-, tumor necrosis factor-, and interferon-induced inflammation and oxidative damage in vitro. In addition, this study examined the ameliorative impact of TAAR extract on,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice.
It was discovered that TAAR extract suppressed the expression of inflammatory mediators in both murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and boosted the expression of oxidative stress defense enzymes in HaCaT cells. In addition, TAAR extract ameliorated the overall symptoms of atopic dermatitis in the mouse model caused by DNCB. As a unique natural medicinal agent, TAAR extract may be utilized to treat atopic dermatitis.
The study concluded that TAAR extract has in vitro anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced macrophages and antioxidative effects on TNF-/IFN-induced keratinocytes. On mice with DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions, TAAR extract was found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-AD effects. TAAR extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits in inflammatory skin illnesses such as AD and should be considered a possible natural therapy alternative for AD.
Reference:
Lee, J.-H., Lim, J.-Y., Jeon, Y.-D., Yun, D.-H., Lee, Y.-M., & Kim, D.-K. (2023). Extract of Wheatgrass and Aronia Mixture Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Related Symptoms by Suppressing Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress In Vitro and In Vivo. Antioxidants, 12(1), 27. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/1/27
