Nat Prod Sci.  2025 Mar;31(1):13-23. 10.20307/nps.2025.31.1.13.

Prunus yedoensis Bark Water Extract Increases Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis and Skin Barrier-related Protein Levels

• Song JH
• Kim YM

• KMID: 2566709
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.20307/nps.2025.31.1.13

Abstract

Damage to barrier function due to a loss of moisture in the skin can lead to skin diseases, such as atopy and psoriasis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has the ability to retain large amounts of moisture and thereby protects the skin against moisture loss. In addition, tight junctions prevent water loss and maintain barrier functions by restricting molecular movement through cell-to-cell connections. In this study, the effects of Prunus yedoensis bark water extract (PYBWE) on HA synthesis and tight junction protein expression in HaCaT cells were evaluated. In HaCaT cells, PYBWE had effects on the MAPKs, CREB, AKT, NF-κB, and CLDN-4 signaling pathways, at 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL concentrations increasing the amount of HA produced via HAS-2 and effectively improving skin barrier function.

Keyword

Prunus yedoensis Matsumura; Tight junction; Hyaluronic acid; MAPKs; HaCaT cells