Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn 是属于苦木科 Picrasma 属的维管植物，生长于韩国、中国、印度、台湾和日本。据报道，苦木提取物具有抗炎、抗菌和抗癌特性。此外，这种植物传统上还用于缓解湿疹、特应性皮炎、牛皮癣、疥疮和皮肤疖肿的症状。中国药典中已报道了 Pq-EE 对皮肤的药理作用。然而，缓解皮肤状况的详细机制尚不清楚。因此，我们研究了Pq-EE针对皮肤损伤的皮肤改善潜力。我们使用人角质形成细胞系（HaCaT）和小鼠黑色素瘤细胞系（B16F10）来研究Pq-EE对表皮的影响。此外，使用包含金属离子或自由基的溶液进行体外抗氧化剂测定。在比色抗氧化剂测定中，Pq-EE 以剂量依赖性方式抑制自由基。在 MTT 测定中，Pq-EE 不影响细胞活力并促进 UVB 暴露条件下的细胞存活。 Pq-EE 下调凋亡因子的 mRNA 水平。此外，Pq-EE 治疗后 MMP1 和炎症细胞因子 iNOS mRNA 水平降低。就蛋白质水平而言，Pq-EE 比 UVB 刺激条件更能抑制半胱天冬酶和裂解半胱天冬酶。 Pq-EE 治疗后 p53 和 Bax 也减少。在无毒浓度的 Pq-EE 下，黑色素含量和分泌减少。 Pq-EE 处理也可抑制色素沉着途径基因。总之，我们认为 Pq-EE 对 UVB 和 ROS 具有细胞保护潜力，表明其在防紫外线药妆材料中的用途。版权所有 © 2024。由 Elsevier B.V. 出版。

Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn is a vascular plant belonging to the genus Picrasma of Simaroubaceae family and grows in Korea, China, India, Taiwan, and Japan. Picrasma quassioides extract has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties. Moreover, this plant has been also traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies, and boils in skin.The Pq-EE has been reported in Chinese pharmacopoeia for its pharmacological effects on skin. However, the detailed mechanism on alleviating skin conditions is not understood. Hence, we investigated the skin improvement potential of Pq-EE against skin damage.We used the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and mouse melanoma cell line (B16F10) to study the effects of Pq-EE on the epidermis. Additionally, in vitro antioxidant assays were performed using a solution that included either metal ions or free radicals.In colorimetric antioxidant assays, Pq-EE inhibited free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. The Pq-EE did not affect cell viability and promoted cell survival under UVB exposure conditions in the MTT assay. The Pq-EE downregulated the mRNA levels of apoptotic factors. Moreover, MMP1 and inflammatory cytokine iNOS mRNA levels decreased with Pq-EE treatment. With regard to protein levels, caspases and cleaved caspases were more powerfully inhibited by Pq-EE than UVB-irritated conditions. p53 and Bax also decreased with Pq-EE treatment. The melanin contents and secretion were decreased at nontoxic concentrations of Pq-EE. The pigmentation pathway genes also were inhibited by treatment with Pq-EE.In summary, we suggest the cell protective potential of Pq-EE against UVB and ROS, indicating its use in UV-protective cosmeceutical materials.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.