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Inflammation

Understanding Inflammation

Inflammatory skin diseases are the most common problem in dermatology. They come in many forms, from occasional rashes accompanied by skin itching and redness, to chronic conditions such as dermatitis (eczema), rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Skin inflammation can be characterized as acute or chronic. Acute inflammation can result from exposure to UV radiation (UVR), ionizing radiation, allergens, or to contact with chemical irritants (soaps, hair dyes, etc.). This type of inflammation is typically resolved within 1 to 2 weeks with little accompanying tissue destruction. In contrast, chronic inflammation results from a sustained immune cell mediated inflammatory response within the skin itself. This inflammation is long lasting and can cause significant and serious tissue destruction. Inflammatory skin conditions affect over 35 million Americans who annually spend over $2 billion to treat their symptoms.

The process of skin inflammation is complex and is still not completely understood. When the skin is exposed to a “triggering” stimulus, such as UV radiation, an irritant (e.g. soaps or fragrances), or to allergens, the cells in the skin produce a variety of inflammatory “hormones” called cytokines and chemokines. These “inflammatory messengers” bind to specific receptors on target cells and stimulate the production of additional inflammatory signaling “hormones”. Some of these cause vasodilation while others activate nerve cells. Still other cytokines cause immune cells to leave the blood and migrate into the skin where they then produce more inflammatory hormones, as well as enzymes, free radicals, and chemicals that damage the skin. The end result of the initial triggering event is the amplification of a large inflammatory response that, while designed to help the skin fight infection from invading bacteria, actually causes considerable damage to the skin.

By far the most effective and commonly used prescription drugs for treating inflammation are the corticosteroids, particularly the glucocorticoid related steroids. They are very effective for many forms of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis (in concert with an anti-fungal agent), and are fairly effective in ameliorating the symptoms of psoriasis. They are not particularly effective, however, in treating acute inflammation, like UVR induced sunburn, which is not primarily an immune cell driven inflammatory response. Corticosteroids can be used topically or orally. Topical corticosteroids have been classified into groups based on potency. For example, the corticosteroid clobetasol proprionate, is ranked as a very potent steroid, while betametasone diproprionate and fluocinolone acetonide can range from potent to moderately potent. OTC topicals containing hydrocortisone are, of course, the least potent. While current treatment regimens for most inflammatory skin diseases are dominated by topical or oral orticosteroids, these are typically used for only short periods of time because they exert some negative side effects on skin, including:

  1. Anti-proliferative/thinning effect on the skin.
  2. Suppression of the skin’s ability to respond to infection (immunosuppression).
  3. Elevation of blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).
  4. Impairment of adrenal gland function.

DermaMedics scientists have conducted years of research to characterize the process of skin inflammation and to determine what inflammatory hormones (cytokines and chemokines) are produced by skin and immune cells, and which are responsible for the development of an inflammatory skin problem such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or radiation dermatitis. Based on this knowledge, DermaMedics scientists have developed a proprietary cell and molecular biology based screening strategy (Therascreen™) which has identified several novel botanically-derived compounds that suppress the production of a variety of inflammatory responses in cultured skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts), and immune cells (monocytes and T- lymphocytes). As a result of blocking these inflammatory processes in the skin, DermaMedics compounds are able to effectively reduce or eliminate a variety of inflammatory symptoms that occur with common skin problems.