NATPRO Journal

Therapeutic Efficacy of Luteolin Against Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-Induced Cytotoxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in HaCaT Cells 

Received: October 13, 2025; Revised: December 4, 2025; Accepted: January 14, 2026; Published: January 24, 2026

NATPRO J (2026) 3: 1-8 Article

Authors: Himanshi Gahlot1 and Sun Chul Kang1,2*

1Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan, 38453, Republic of Korea. 2Dr. Kang Bio Co. Ltd., Gyeongsan, 38428, Republic of Korea

https://doi.org/10.23177/NJ025.1003

Abstract: Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent protein kinase C activator, is a well-established agent that triggers cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study investigated the cytoprotective potential of the natural flavonoid luteolin against PMA-induced toxicity in human HaCaT keratinocytes. We demonstrate for the first time that pre-treatment with luteolin significantly alleviates PMA-induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells, evidenced by increased cell viability, reduced LDH release, and enhanced clonogenic survival. Mechanistically, luteolin attenuated oxidative stress by scavenging ROS/NO generation, reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA), and restoring antioxidants (GSH, TRX). Luteolin further prevented the PMA-induced elevation of inflammatory mediators (NF-κB, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-1β) and associated DNA damage indicators (γ-H2AX, ERCC1). These findings reveal that luteolin possesses significant cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties against PMA-induced damage, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory skin disorders. Future validation in more complex physiological models is warranted to bridge these promising in vitro results to potential clinical applications addressing PMA-related pathologies. 

Keywords: luteolin, PMA, HaCaT, inflammation, ROS, NF-κB

HPLC Quantification and In Silico Analysis of Polyphenols from Moringa oleifera Targeting FPR2 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Received: April 6, 2026; Revised: April 30, 2026; Accepted: May 6, 2026; Published: May 7, 2026; E-mail: slee@cau.ac.kr

NATPRO J (2026) 3: 9-16 Article

Authors: Chang-Dae Lee1 and Sanghyun Lee1,2*

1 Department of Plant Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea. 2 Natural Product Institute of Science and Technology, Anseong 17546, Republic of Korea.

https://doi.org/10.23177/NJ026.0404

Abstract: This study investigated the polyphenolic composition of Moringa oleifera and evaluated its potential biological relevance for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) using an integrated analytical and computational approach. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that (+)-catechin and quercetin 3-glucuronide were the major compounds, with concentrations of 32.12 mg/g and 19.14 mg/g, respectively. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict the molecular targets and elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of these compounds in the context of EOC. The results suggested that these compounds may interact with formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2), a key receptor highly implicated in EOC pathogenesis and inflammation-related signaling pathways. Both (+)-catechin and quercetin 3-glucuronide exhibited strong binding affinities to FPR2 in docking simulations, with scores of –8.7 and –10.7 kcal/mol, respectively, indicating possible involvement in modulating FPR2-related biological processes in EOC. These findings provide basic information on the polyphenolic profile of M. oleifera and suggest its potential as a source of bioactive compounds with potential applications to EOC-related biological processes. However, further experimental studies are required to validate these observations.

Keywords: epithelial ovarian cancer, high-performance liquid chromatography, molecular docking, quercetin 3-glucuronide

Peptidomics and Mass Spectrometry: Enabling the Discovery of Short Peptides as Novel Natural Products

Received: May 1, 2026; Revised: June 5, 2026; Accepted: June 5, 2026; Published: June 8, 2026; E-mail: leejs@gbsa.or.kr

NATPRO J (2026) 3: 17-22 Review

Authors: Jong Suk Lee* and Jun Ho Shin

Bio Industry Department, Gyeonggido Business and Science Accelerator (GBSA), Suwon, 16229, South Korea

https://doi.org/10.23177/NJ026.0407

Abstract: Food proteins are routinely exposed to gastrointestinal proteolysis, generating complex peptide mixtures that include both transient intermediates and biologically active sequences. While the nutritional role of proteins has long been recognized, the diversity and biological activity of peptides generated during digestion have remained largely unexplored due to analytical limitations. Recent advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry and peptidomics have made it possible to profile hydrolysis-derived peptides at scale with substantially improved depth and confidence. Short peptides represent a chemically diverse molecular space with potential applications as bioactive compounds. The theoretical diversity of peptide sequences increases exponentially (20ⁿ, where n = peptide length), far exceeding the structural space explored by conventional natural product discovery methods. Furthermore, peptides derived from dietary proteins are expected to exhibit favorable safety profiles due to their long history of human consumption. This perspective highlights the emerging paradigm of short peptide discovery through mass-spectrometry-based peptidomics and discusses its technological, industrial, and market implications for functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic applications.

Keywords: short peptides, bioactive peptides, peptidomics, high-resolution mass spectrometry, natural product discovery, functional foods, peptide therapeutics, cosmetic peptides

Endolysins from Cutibacterium acnes phages as alternative antimicrobials

Received: April 3, 2026; Revised: May 26, 2026; Accepted: June 11, 2026; Published: June 12, 2026; E-mail: gsmoon@ut.ac.kr

NATPRO J (2026) 3: 23-26 Review

Authors: Muhammad Adeel Hasnain1 and Gi-Seong Moon1,2*

1Major in IT·Biohealth Convergence, Department of IT·Energy Convergence, Graduate School, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27469, Korea. 2Department of Biotechnology, Korea National University of Transportation, Jeungpyeong 27909, Korea

https://doi.org/10.23177/NJ026.0402

Abstract: The rising antibiotic resistance of Cutibacterium acnes and the disruption of the skin microbiome have necessitated the development of alternative acne therapies. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins have emerged as a promising, microbiome-friendly antimicrobial strategy. These enzymes rapidly and specifically degrade the bacterial cell wall, selectively targeting pathogens without harming beneficial microbiota. Furthermore, endolysins exhibit a low propensity for resistance development and are highly effective against biofilms. Recent advancements in protein engineering—focusing on the enzymatic active domain (EAD) and cell wall-binding domain (CBD)—have enabled the structural optimization of recombinant endolysins for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. This paper outlines the mechanism of action, technological developments, and patent trends of C. acnes-targeting endolysins, highlighting their significant clinical and commercial potential as next-generation targeted topical therapeutics in dermatological care.

Keywords: bacteriophage, endolysin, Cutibacterium acnes