Honokiol Protects Skin Cells Against Inflammation, Collagenolysis, Apoptosis, and Senescence Caused by Cigarette Smoke Damage

The 2017 study explored the effects of honokiol, a polyphenol, on skin cells exposed to cigarette smoke. Honokiol at 10 and 20 μm concentrations significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-8 in keratinocyte cultures by up to 3.4 folds and 53.1%, respectively. It also restored TIMP-2 production, which protects collagen, by up to 96.9% and decreased apoptosis by up to 47.1% in human foreskin fibroblast cultures. Furthermore, honokiol reduced senescence-associated β-galactosidase expression in these fibroblasts. These findings suggest honokiol's potential as a protective agent against cigarette smoke-induced skin damage and as an inhibitor of skin aging. The number of cells or participants was not mentioned in the summary.