Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Root Extract Induces Transcriptional Signatures Associated with Metal Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism in Human Keratinocytes.
5 affiliations
- 1ABC-Bioresearch, 37126 Verona, Italy.
- 2Martin Bauer Nutraceuticals Srl, 10121 Torino, Italy.
- 3Finzelberg GmbH &CoKG, 56266 Andernach, Germany.
- 4Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
- 5Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Botanical metabolites can modulate cellular stress responses, lipid homeostasis, and epithelial organization. Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root contains bioactive phytochemicals and inulin-type fructans, but its molecular effects in vitro remain incompletely characterized. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to a standardized aqueous Burdock root extract (1 mg/mL) for 4.5 h and analyzed by RNA sequencing. The Burdock-versus-control response was evaluated using gene-level differential-expression analysis, ReactomeGSA, and focused GO and KEGG ORA. Higher-amplitude responses were subsequently compared with those induced under identical conditions by Rosehip and Schisandra extracts. Results: Burdock treatment identified 80 DEGs meeting FDR ≤ 0.05 and |log₂ FC| ≥ 1. The response was characterized by induction of metallothioneins, zinc transporters, NRF2- and AhR-associated genes. Increased expression of selected sterol-transport and intracellular-handling genes was accompanied by coordinated downregulation of cholesterol- and lanosterol-biosynthesis pathways. Reciprocal regulation of SPHK1, SGPP1, and SGPL1 indicated altered transcriptional control of S1P production and turnover. Junctional, cytoskeletal, TGF-β-associated, and epithelial cell-state genes were also regulated. Comparative analysis identified 29 higher-amplitude DEGs meeting the predefined Burdock threshold criteria but not the corresponding comparator thresholds, including an 11-gene subgroup not significantly regulated by either comparator treatment. Conclusions: Together, these findings define an early transcriptional response integrating metal homeostasis, cytoprotective signaling, sterol and sphingolipid metabolism, and epithelial remodeling, providing a mechanistic framework for future investigation of Burdock rootextract nutritional and dermatological research.
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BibTeX
@article{bender2026burdock,
title = {{Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Root Extract Induces Transcriptional Signatures Associated with Metal Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism in Human Keratinocytes.}},
author = {Cecilia Bender and Cynthia Gisela Suarez and Alejandra Mariel Habarta and Andressa Blainski and Alessandra Ruggiero and Mariano Stornaiuolo},
journal = {Metabolites},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/metabo16100707},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42941183},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Root Extract Induces Transcriptional Signatures Associated with Metal Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism in Human Keratinocytes.
AU - Cecilia Bender
AU - Cynthia Gisela Suarez
AU - Alejandra Mariel Habarta
AU - Andressa Blainski
AU - Alessandra Ruggiero
AU - Mariano Stornaiuolo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Metabolites
DO - 10.3390/metabo16100707
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42941183
AB - Background/Objectives: Botanical metabolites can modulate cellular stress responses, lipid homeostasis, and epithelial organization. Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root contains bioactive phytochemicals and inulin-type fructans, but its molecular effects in vitro remain incompletely characterized. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to a standardized aqueous Burdock root extract (1 mg/mL) for 4.5 h and analyzed by RNA sequencing. The Burdock-versus-control response was evaluated using gene-level differential-expression analysis, ReactomeGSA, and focused GO and KEGG ORA. Higher-amplitude responses were subsequently compared with those induced under identical conditions by Rosehip and Schisandra extracts. Results: Burdock treatment identified 80 DEGs meeting FDR ≤ 0.05 and |log₂ FC| ≥ 1. The response was characterized by induction of metallothioneins, zinc transporters, NRF2- and AhR-associated genes. Increased expression of selected sterol-transport and intracellular-handling genes was accompanied by coordinated downregulation of cholesterol- and lanosterol-biosynthesis pathways. Reciprocal regulation of SPHK1, SGPP1, and SGPL1 indicated altered transcriptional control of S1P production and turnover. Junctional, cytoskeletal, TGF-β-associated, and epithelial cell-state genes were also regulated. Comparative analysis identified 29 higher-amplitude DEGs meeting the predefined Burdock threshold criteria but not the corresponding comparator thresholds, including an 11-gene subgroup not significantly regulated by either comparator treatment. Conclusions: Together, these findings define an early transcriptional response integrating metal homeostasis, cytoprotective signaling, sterol and sphingolipid metabolism, and epithelial remodeling, providing a mechanistic framework for future investigation of Burdock rootextract nutritional and dermatological research.
SN - 2218-1989
ER -