Neuroprotective Effect of Gallocatechin Gallate on Glutamate-Induced Oxidative Stress in Hippocampal HT22 Cells.

Oxidative stress leads to protein degeneration or mitochondrial dysfunction, causing neuronal cell death. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that nerve cells use to send signals. However, the excess accumulation of glutamate can cause excitotoxicity in the central nervous system. In this study, we deciphered the molecular mechanism of catechin-mediated neuroprotective effect on glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells. Cellular antioxidant activity was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) staining. Furthermore, the levels of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) as well as nuclear condensation and protein expression related to neuronal damage were assessed. All five catechins (epigallocatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate (GCG), gallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin) showed strong antioxidant effects. Among them, GCG exhibited the highest neuroprotective effect against glutamate excitotoxicity and was used for further mechanistic studies. The glutamate-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ was reduced after GCG treatment. Moreover, GCG reduced nuclear condensation and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) involved in cell death. The neuroprotective effect of GCG against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in HT22 cells was attributed to the reduction in intracellular free radicals and Ca2+ influx and also the inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. Furthermore, the antioxidant effect of GCG was found to be likely due to the inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK and JNK that led to the effective suppression of neurocytotoxicity caused by glutamate in HT22 cells.

Sanguiin H-11 from Sanguisorbae radix protects HT22 murine hippocampal cells against glutamate-induced death.

Excessive glutamate level induces neuronal death in acute brain injuries and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Natural compounds from medicinal and food plants have been attracting interest as a treatment for neurological disorders. Sanguiin H-11 (SH-11), a hydrolysable ellagitannin, inhibits neutrophil movement and nitric oxide -production. However, its neuroprotective effect has not been studied. Therefore, the present study examined the protective effect of SH-11 from Sanguisorbae radix and its mechanism against glutamate-induced death in HT22 cells. Our results showed that SH-11 possessed a strong antioxidant activity and prevented glutamate-induced death in HT22 cells. As a strong antioxidant, SH-11 significantly reduced glutamate-induced increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation and calcium ion influx. Western blotting analysis showed that glutamate-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-related kinases 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38, was significantly decreased by SH-11. Furthermore, SH-11 significantly decreased the number of annexin V-positive HT22 cells, which is indicating apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, our results suggested that SH-11 exerted a potent neuroprotective activity against glutamate-mediated apoptotic cell death by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated MAPK activation.

Application of microwave-irradiation technique in deglycosylation of ginsenosides for improving apoptosis induction in human melanoma SK-MEL-2 cells.

To increase the contents of medicinally effective ginsenosides, we used high-temperature and high-pressure thermal processing of ginseng by exposing it to microwave irradiation. To determine the anti-melanoma effect, the malignant melanoma SK-MEL-2 cell line was treated with an extract of microwave-irradiated ginseng. Microwave irradiation caused changes in the ginsenoside contents: the amounts of ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd were disappeared, while those of less polar ginsenosides, such as Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1, were increased. In particular, the contents of Rk1 and Rg5 markedly increased. Melanoma cells treated with the microwave-irradiated ginseng extract showed markedly increased cell death. The results indicate that the microwave-irradiated ginseng extract induced melanoma cell death via the apoptotic pathway and that the cytotoxic effect of the microwave-irradiated ginseng extract is attributable to the increased contents of specific ginsenosides.

Protective effect of hypoxylonol C and 4,5,4',5'-tetrahydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl isolated from Annulohypoxylon annulatum against streptozotocin-induced damage in INS-1 cells.

We evaluated the protective effects of hypoxylonol C and 4,5,4',5'-tetrahydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (BNT) isolated from Annulohypoxylon annulatum on pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis, using the ß-cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ). Hypoxylonol C and BNT restored the STZ-induced decrease in INS-1 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment of INS-1 cells with 50 µM STZ resulted in an increase in apoptotic cell death, which was observed as annexin V fluorescence intensity. Apoptotic cell death was decreased by co-treatment with 100 µM hypoxylonol C and 100 µM BNT. Similarly, STZ caused a marked increase in the expression of cleaved caspase-8, caspase-3, Bax, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), as well as a decrease in the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), which was reversed by co-treatment with 100 µM hypoxylonol C and 100 µM BNT. These findings suggest that hypoxylonol C and BNT play an important role in protecting pancreatic ß-cells against apoptotic damage.

Bioactivity-based analysis and chemical characterization of anti-inflammatory compounds from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes using LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Inflammation is not only a self-defense response of the innate immune system, but also the pathogenesis mechanism of multiple diseases such as arthritis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), an indigenous plant of India, has been used traditionally in Ayurveda and folk medicine. As part of our ongoing efforts to screen traditional medicinal plants exhibiting pharmacological potential and to characterize the compounds involved, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the MeOH extract of C. zedoaria rhizomes using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells and found that MeOH extract inhibited the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner (IC50: 23.44 ±â€¯0.77 µg/mL). In our efforts to characterize the compounds responsible for these anti-inflammatory effects, bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract and chemical investigation of its active hexane-soluble fraction led to the successful isolation of five sesquiterpenes (1-5), the structures of which were elucidated by NMR spectroscopic analysis and LC/MS analysis. Among them, curcuzedoalide (5) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO synthesis (IC50: 12.21 ±â€¯1.67 µM) and also suppressed pre-inflammatory protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. Curcuzedoalide (5) was thus determined to be a contributor to the anti-inflammatory effect of C. zedoaria rhizomes and could be a potential candidate for therapeutic applications.

Preparation of Herbal Formulation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on In Vitro Screening and In Vivo Evaluation in a Mouse Model of Experimental Colitis.

Many medicinal plants have been used traditionally in East Asia for the treatment of gastrointestinal disease and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of 350 extracts (175 water extracts and 175 ethanol extracts) from 71 single plants, 97 mixtures of two plants, and seven formulations based on traditional medicine, to find herbal formulations to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the in vitro screening, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were determined in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells and the TNF-α induced monocyte-epithelial cell adhesion assay was used for the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect against IBD of the samples selected from the in vitro screening. KM1608, composed of Zingiber officinale, Terminalia chebula and Aucklandia lappa, was prepared based on the screening experiments. The oral administration of KM1608 significantly attenuated the severity of colitis symptoms, such as weight loss, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding, in TNBS-induced colitis. In addition, inflammatory mediators, such as myeloperoxidase, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels decreased in the lysate of colon tissues treated with KM1608. Collectively, KM1608 ameliorated colitis through the regulation of inflammatory responses within the colon, which indicated that KM1608 had potential for the treatment of IBD.

Chebulinic acid attenuates glutamate-induced HT22 cell death by inhibiting oxidative stress, calcium influx and MAPKs phosphorylation.

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and oxidative stress is a major causative factor in neuronal cell death in acute brain injuries and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The prevention of oxidative stress is a potential therapeutic strategy. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to examine a potential therapeutic agent and its protective mechanism against glutamate-mediated cell death. We first found that chebulinic acid isolated from extracts of the fruit of Terminalia chebula prevented glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. Chebulinic acid significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Ca2+ influx induced by glutamate. We further demonstrated that chebulinic acid significantly decreased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including ERK1/2, JNK, and p38, as well as inhibiting pro-apoptotic Bax and increasing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, we demonstrated that chebulinic acid significantly reduced the apoptosis induced by glutamate in HT22 cells. In conclusion, our results in this study suggest that chebulinic acid is a potent protectant against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death via inhibiting ROS production, Ca2+ influx, and phosphorylation of MAPKs, as well as reducing the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, which contribute to oxidative stress-mediated neuronal cell death.

Eupatilin inhibits angiogenesis-mediated human hepatocellular metastasis by reducing MMP-2 and VEGF signaling.

Metastasis is responsible for the great majority of deaths in cancer patients. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have critical functions in cancer metastasis. Especially, MMP-2 and MMP-9 play a major role in tumor-cell migration and invasion. Therefore, to first find out the inhibitory effect of eupatilin on expression of MMPs in SNU182 cells, we used quantitative real-rime PCR to measure MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA levels. Eupatilin suppressed transcription of MMP-2 in SNU182 cells more than did the corresponding controls. Also, eupatilin significantly blocked tube formation when treated with a concentration of 3.125 or 6.25 µg/mL on human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Eupatilin induced significant anti-angiogenic potential associated with down-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and phosphorylated Akt expression. Thus, tube-formation inhibition and MMP-2-mediated migration are likely to be important therapeutic targets of eupatilin in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.

Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds in Mulberry Fruits against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

Mulberry, the fruit of white mulberry tree (Morus alba L., Moraceae), is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines as a sedative, tonic, laxative, and emetic. In our continuing research of the bioactive metabolites from mulberry, chemical analysis of the fruits led to the isolation of five compounds, 1-5. The compounds were identified as butyl pyroglutamate (1), quercetin 3-O-ß-d-glucoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-ß-d-rutinoside (3), rutin (4), and 2-phenylethyl d-rutinoside (5) by spectroscopic data analysis, comparing their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data with those in published literature, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The isolated compounds 1-5 were evaluated for their effects on anticancer drug-induced side effects by cell-based assays. Compound 1 exerted the highest protective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney cell damage. This effect was found to be mediated through the attenuation of phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and caspase-3 in cisplatin-induced kidney cell damage.

Beneficial Effects of Deoxyshikonin on Delayed Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice.

Shiunko ointment is composed of five ingredients including Lithospermi Radix (LR), Angelicae Gigantis Radix, sesame seed oil, beeswax, and swine oil. It is externally applied as a treatment for a wide range of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, burns, topical wounds, and atopic dermatitis. Deoxyshikonin is the major angiogenic compound extracted from LR. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of LR extract and deoxyshikonin on impaired wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Treatment with LR extract elevated tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and exerted antioxidant activity. An open skin wound was produced on the backs of diabetic mice and was then topically treated with deoxyshikonin or vehicle. In addition, deoxyshikonin promoted tube formation in high glucose conditions exposed to HUVECs, and which may be regulated by increased VEGFR2 expression and phosphorylation of Akt and p38. Our results demonstrate that deoxyshikonin application promoted wound repair in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Collectively, these data suggest that deoxyshikonin is an active ingredient of LR, thereby contributing to wound healing in patients with diabetes.

Beneficial Effect of Herbal Formulation KM1608 on Inflammatory Bowl Diseases: A Preliminary Experimental Study.

Aucklandia lappa DC., Terminalia chebula Retz and Zingiber officinale Roscoe have been traditionally used in east Asia to treat chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. This study aimed to evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of KM1608, which is composed of three natural herbs in a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. The anti-inflammatory activity and underlying mechanism were assessed in vitro using LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. The in vivo effect of KM1608 on DSS-induced colitis was examined after oral administration in mice. KM1608 significantly inhibited the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect of KM1608 was attributed to the reduction of Akt phosphorylation in the LPS-treated cells. In the mouse model, oral administration of KM1608 significantly improved DSS-induced colitis symptoms, such as disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and colon weight, as well as suppressed the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the DSS-induced colitis tissues. Taken together, KM1608 improved colitis through the regulation of inflammatory responses, suggesting that KM1608 has potential therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-inflammatory effects and corresponding mechanisms of cirsimaritin extracted from Cirsium japonicum var. maackii Maxim.

In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of cirsimaritin isolated from an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii Maxim. using RAW264.7 cells. The extract and its flavonoid cirsimaritin inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW264.7 cells. Cirsimaritin inhibited interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. From a western blot study, pretreatment with cirsimaritin inhibited phosphorylation/degradation of IκBα and phosphorylation of Akt in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, cirsimaritin suppressed activation of LPS-induced transcription factors, such as c-fos and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), in RAW264.7 cells. Collectively, these results show that cirsimaritin possesses anti-inflammatory activity, which is regulated by inhibition of c-fos and STAT3 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cells.

Synthesis of apoptotic chalcone analogues in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Eight chalcone analogues were prepared and evaluated for their cytotoxic effects in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Compound 5 had a potent cytotoxic effect. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in compound 5-treated cells than in control cells. Exposure to compound 5 for 24h induced cleavage of caspase-8 and -3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Our findings suggest that compound 5 is the active chalcone analogue that contributes to cell death in HepG2 cells via the extrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Protective effect of tetrahydrocurcumin against cisplatin-induced renal damage: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The adverse effects of anticancer drugs can prompt patients to end their treatment despite the efficacy. Cisplatin is a platinum-based molecule widely used to treat various forms of cancer, but frequent and long-term use of cisplatin is limited due to severe nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect and mechanism of tetrahydrocurcumin on cisplatin-induced kidney damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation to evaluate its possible use in renal damage. Cisplatin-induced LLC-PK1 renal cell damage was significantly reduced by tetrahydrocurcumin treatment. Additionally, the protective effect of tetrahydrocurcumin on cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage was investigated in rats. Tetrahydrocurcumin was orally administered every day at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight for ten days, and a single dose of cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally (7.5 mg/kg body weight) in 0.9 % saline on day four. The creatinine clearance levels, which were markers of renal dysfunction, in cisplatin-treated rats were recovered nearly back to normal levels after administration of tetrahydrocurcumin. Moreover, tetrahydrocurcumin exhibited protective effects against cisplatin-induced oxidative renal damage in rats by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 and caspase-3 activation. These results collectively provide therapeutic evidence that tetrahydrocurcumin ameliorates renal damage by regulating inflammation and apoptosis.

Inhibitory effects of ginseng sapogenins on the proliferation of triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

Because of poor prognosis, clinical treatment of triple-negative (TN) breast cancer remains the most challenging factor in cancer treatment. Extensive research into alternative cancer therapies includes studying the naturopathic effects of the medicinal herb ginseng. This study investigates the anti-neoplastic properties of ginseng sapogenins and the derivatives: (1) (20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), (2) 20(S)-protopanaxatriol), (3) (20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxadiol, and (4) 20(S)-dihydroprotopanaxatriol). These compounds were found to prevent the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. PPD was the most potent inhibitor, exhibiting an IC50 (5.87 µM) comparable to that of the chemotherapeutic drug taxol. Furthermore, PPD induced dose-dependent cleavage of caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP in MDA-MB-231 cells. Thus, we propose that PPD acts as anti-cancer agent by stimulating caspase-dependent apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Integrative treatment program for the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: A prospective observational case series.

Background: In a situation where conventional treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are labor-intensive and there are concerns about the side effects of conventional medications, a 6-month integrative treatment program, including herbal medicine (HM), Floortime, and sensory enrichment therapy (SET) has been used on children with ASD in Korean medicine clinical settings. Methods: We observed the treatment responses of 18 children with ASD (66.7% male, mean age 3.9 ± 0.9 years) to the integrative treatment program as part of a prospective, single-center, observational case series. Individualized HMs were administered according to the patient's symptoms, and parents were instructed to perform Floortime and SET with their children at home for 2 h and 20 min a day, 5 days a week, respectively. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate the core symptoms of ASD. A linear mixed model for repeated measures was used for analyzing the effect of the program over time, and logistic regression used to explore the predictors of treatment response. Results: The CARS and ABC scores were significantly improved from 34.58 ± 6.27 and 69.28 ± 15.73 at baseline to 28.56 ± 6.05 and 39.67 ± 20.36 after 6 months (p < 0.0001, respectively). No serious adverse events (AEs) were reported, and compliance with HM, Floortime, and SET was high at >90%. Conclusion: This 6-month integrative treatment program appears to be a potentially effective, safe, and feasible option for children with ASD. Low baseline CARS scores may be predictors of higher treatment response.

Molecular Mechanism of Cinnamomum cassia against Gastric Damage and Identification of Active Compounds.

Cinnamomum cassia is a natural product found in plants that has been used as a folk remedy for inflammation. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of C. cassia extract (ECC) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine RAW 264.7 cells, in comparison with 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde, a C. cassia extract component. ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde inhibited the production of nitrite oxide in a dose-dependent manner and did not show any change in cellular toxicity when treated with the same dose as that used in the nitrite assay. Moreover, they attenuated ROS accumulation after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) and cytokines such as TNF and IL-6. We also found that ECC and 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde mitigated the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and transcription factors, such as NF-κB and STAT3, suppressing NF-κB nuclear translocation in LPS-activated macrophages. In addition, administration of ECC in a Sprague Dawley rat model of acute gastric injury caused by indomethacin significantly increased the gastric mucus volume. Analysis of serum and tissue levels of inflammatory mediators revealed a significant decrease in serum PGE2 and myeloperoxidase levels and a reduction in gastric iNOS, COX-2, and p65 protein levels. Collectively, these results suggest that ECC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and is a potential candidate for curing gastritis.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 3-Dehydroxyceanothetric Acid 2-Methyl Ester Isolated from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. against Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Epithelial Cell Death.

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid tumors; however, it presents a risk factor for nephropathy. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of 3-dehydroxyceanothetric acid 2-methyl ester (3DC2ME) isolated from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. in LLC-PK1 cells following cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. These cells were exposed to 3DC2ME for 2 h, followed by treatment with cisplatin for 24 h. The treated cells were subjected to cell viability analysis using the Ez-Cytox assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected via 2', 7'- dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. In addition, western blotting and fluorescent immunostaining were performed to evaluate protein expressions related to oxidative stress and inflammation pathways. Pretreatment with 3DC2ME protected LLC-PK1 cells from cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. In addition, pretreatment with 3DC2ME upregulated heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in the cisplatin-treated LLC-PK1 cells. Furthermore, the increase in the expressions of IκB kinase α/ß (IKKα/ß), inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IκBα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in these cells was inhibited. These results provide basic scientific evidence for understanding the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of 3DC2ME isolated from Z. jujuba against cisplatin-induced kidney epithelial cell death.

Preventive Effects of Anthraquinones Isolated from an Endophytic Fungus, Colletotrichum sp. JS-0367 in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Stimulated Damage of Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major causative factor of inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix degradation. ROS also cause skin aging and diverse cutaneous lesions. Therefore, antioxidants that inhibit the generation of ROS may be beneficial in the relief of skin aging and diseases. We investigated the anti-skin aging effect of anthraquinones from cultures of Colletotrichum sp., an endophytic fungus isolated from Morus alba L. using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). We preferentially evaluated the preventive effects of anti-oxidative anthraquinones (1, 4) against the generation of ROS, nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandins-E2 (PGE2). Among them, 1,3-dihydroxy-2,8-dimethoxy-6-methylanthraquinone (1) suppressed the generation of ROS, NO, and PGE2 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated HDFs. Compound 1 reversed the TNF-induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and a decrease in procollagen I α1 (COLIA1). It also suppressed inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8, which upregulate inflammatory reactions. Mechanistically, compound 1 suppressed nuclear factor-κB, activator protein 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in TNF-α-stimulated HDFs. These results suggest that compound 1 may be beneficial for improving skin aging and diverse cutaneous lesions.