Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide on glucocorticoid-induced epidermal atrophy and barrier dysfunction. The topical application of Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide to the shaved dorsal skin of mice, administered 30 min after clobetasol propionate treatment twice daily for 6 d, significantly prevented clobetasol propionate-induced transepidermal water loss elevation and reduction in stratum corneum hydration. This was accompanied by an increase in epidermal thickness. Nile red staining demonstrated Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide augmentation of the overall epidermal lipid amount. Molecular analyses, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis, unveiled Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide influence on the upregulation of major lipid-synthesizing enzymes (serine-palmitoyl transferase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and fatty acid synthase) and epidermal differentiation-related proteins (filaggrin and involucrin). In conclusion, these findings suggest that Saussurea involucrata polysaccharide effectively prevents glucocorticoid-induced epidermal atrophy and barrier impairment by enhancing epidermal lipid synthesis and stimulating keratinocyte differentiation.