Selective enhancement by Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. leaf extracts of TNF-α-induced NF-κB signalling in keratinocytes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.2710-995X/2026.14.03Keywords:
Plectranthus neochilus, HaCaT, NF-κB, TNF-α, Rosmarinic acid.Abstract
Pediatric dermatitis represents a significant health concern in Cuba. These disorders are most prevalent during the summer months and are characterised by structural, metabolic, and functional alterations in keratinocytes. In this context, Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. traditionally used in Africa for the treatment of skin disorders owing to its wound-healing and antimicrobial properties, represents a promising therapeutic alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytocompatibility and immunomodulatory effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. neochilus on the NF-κβ signalling pathway in HaCaT cells. Cellular metabolic activity was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay, whereas NF-κβ activity was determined by a luciferase reporter gene assay. Both extracts exhibited a favorable safety profile, maintaining cell viability above 78% at the highest concentration tested (512 μg/mL). Furthermore, the luciferase assay revealed a highly specific synergistic co-stimulatory effect. In the absence of stimulation, the extracts maintained controlled basal NF-κβ activity; however, in the presence of TNF-α they significantly enhanced the bioluminescent signal (1,548.00 versus 640.00 RLU). Collectively, these findings suggest that P. neochilus leaf extracts, probably owing to their high rosmarinic acid content, exert cytoprotective and immunomodulatory effects that may contribute to strengthening the cutaneous immune response.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Annarli Olivia Rodriguez Ferreiro, Silvia del Carmen Molina Bertrán, Onel Fong Lores, Wim Vanden Bergue, Juan P. Muñoz
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