Chlorogenic acid from water celery fights oxidative damage from pollution, study finds

26 Apr 2023 --- A recent study published in Cosmetics journal has taken research into the antioxidant effects of perennial herb Oenanthe javanica (OJ), also known as water celery, a step further by looking into the ability of its extract to combat the effects of particulate matter (PM) pollution.

Until now its effects on the cytotoxicity (cell toxicity) of air pollution were unknown as only the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of OJ-derived materials were extensively explored previously.

This study demonstrated that the BA fraction of OJ extract reduces PM10-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) (from ultraviolet exposure) production in HaCaT cells more effectively than other solvent fractions. Of its major phenolic components, chlorogenic acid was more effective than caffeic acid in reducing ROS levels. 

The study suggests that the chlorogenic acid in OJ extract may help alleviate oxidative damage and inflammatory responses produced by the skin cells when exposed to air pollutants.

Potent hot water extract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the hot water extract of OJ on atmospheric PM10-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes and identify its active ingredient and mechanism of action.Air pollution has a detrimental effect on skin health. PM is a mixture of various organic compounds, heavy metals and biological constituents and is capable of penetrating the skin through pores and weak skin barriers. It can exacerbate various skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.

PM can cause premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation. Combined exposure to PM and ultraviolet (UV) rays exerts a synergistic harmful effect, accelerating skin photo-aging and cancer development.Oenanthe javanica is a perennial herb from Asia used in traditional medicine and food preparations.

OJ, also known as water dropwort, water parsley, water celery or minari in Korean contains a substantial amount of phenolic compounds with chlorogenic acid being in the highest concentration, followed by caffeic acid. 

When a hot water extract of OJ was divided into methylene chloride, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BA) and water fractions, caffeic acid was enriched in the EA fraction and chlorogenic acid was enriched in the BA fraction.

Function of chlorogenic acid
This study suggests that chlorogenic acid contained in OJ extract, traditionally cultivated in Asia and used in traditional medicine, may alleviate the skin cells oxidative damage and inflammatory responses due to exposure to air pollutants. 

Thirteen phenylpropanoids were isolated from the extract’s EA fraction and some of these compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory activities. 

Chlorogenic acid proved more effective in reducing ROS levels than caffeic acid and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Chlorogenic acid reduced the effects of lipid peroxidation due to PM10 exposure. 

PM10 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and inflammatory prostaglandin (PG) E2 production in cells.

PM stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), causing the loss of the extracellular matrix including collagen. It decreases filaggrin expression, causing the loss of the skin barrier function.

Alleviating oxidative stressThe phenolic compounds in OJ reduces the oxidative stress caused by UV rays and pollution.
The effects of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid on cell viability were examined in the absence and presence of PM and were compared with that of NAC, a positive control. 

Caffeic acid decreased cell viability at concentrations above 100 μM and chlorogenic acid and NAC decreased cell viability at concentrations above 300 μM. Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid at 1000 μM enhanced the cytotoxic effects of PM10 but NAC did not. 

Neither the total extract nor the solvent fraction of OJ significantly reversed HaCaT cell death due to a high level of PM10 but some solvent fractions within a non-cytotoxic range significantly reduced the PM10-induced cellular ROS production. 

When the effect of reducing ROS production was compared between the solvent fractions, the BA fraction was more effective than the EA fraction and other fractions.

Taken together, data from these previous studies and the current study suggest that OJ extract is a useful natural product to alleviate skin inflammation caused by UV rays, atmospheric fine dust, or a combination.

In addition, it is suggested that the efficacy can be further improved by purifying the OJ extract and increasing the content of chlorogenic acid.

Moreover, the research shows that extracts derived from various plants, such as green tea, pomegranate, Siegesbeckiae herba, propolis and Ecklonia cava, and their phenolic compounds, reduce ROS production, lipid peroxidation and inflammatory responses in HaCaT cells exposed to PM10.

By Inga de Jong