Ashwagandha Root Extract and Its Potential Modulation of
CCN1
‐Associated Pathways in Sensitive‐Skin Aging
Liying Kang, Yanhong Liu, Yuchen Xin, Lin Geng, Shaochun Cai, Jianfang Luo, Shaojie Gu, Shuangyan Wang, Zhiting Zhang, Yan Huang, Guixuan Zhou, Li Ye, Dongcui Li, Naisheng Jiang ABSTRACT
Background
Cellular Communication Network Factor 1 (CCN1) has been identified as a key regulator of oxidative stress‐induced skin aging and sensitivity. Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) is a promising candidate for modulating CCN1‐associated pathways.
Aims
To investigate whether ARE can mitigate sensitive‐skin aging by modulating CCN1 expression and its downstream effects, and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of an ARE‐containing formulation in individuals with sensitive skin.
Methods
Human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF‐1) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) were assessed for viability using the Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay, and for CCN1, integrin α 6 β 1 , MMP‐1, COL‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐1β expression using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A 28‐day open‐label clinical study was performed in 31 Chinese women with sensitive skin to evaluate changes in skin hydration, elasticity, firmness, wrinkle severity, and facial contour.
Results
H 2 O 2 exposure significantly decreased fibroblast viability and upregulated CCN1 expression. Treatment with ARE dose‐dependently restored cell viability, suppressed the expression of CCN1, integrin α 6 β 1 , MMP‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, and promoted COL‐1 synthesis. Clinical evaluation demonstrated that 28 days of ARE‐containing cream application significantly improved skin hydration (+49.0%) and elasticity (+27.2%), improved skin firmness, as evidenced by a 32.4% reduction in the F4 parameter compared with baseline ( p < 0.001), and reduced wrinkle depth and facial sagging.
Conclusion
ARE can alleviate oxidative stress‐induced skin aging at least in part by downregulating CCN1 and its downstream inflammatory mediators and by inhibiting matrix‐metalloproteinase‐mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The combined biological and clinical evidence supports ARE as a promising and well‐tolerated active ingredient for improving signs of skin aging in individuals with sensitive skin.