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580 Address all correspondence to Soon Young Shin, shinsy@konkuk.ac.kr Ethanolic Extracts of Ageratum houstonium, Bupleurum falcatum, and Schisandra chinensis Inhibit Interleukin-4-Induced Expression of Itching Factors in HaCaT Keratinocytes HYOUNG SEOK SHIN, SUNG SHIN AHN, HYUNJIN YEO, YOU JEONG JEONG AND SOON YOUNG SHIN Hansol Bio Inc., Seongnam 13487, Republic of Korea (H.S.S.) Department of Biological Sciences, Sanghuh College of Lifesciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea (S.S.A., H.Y., S.Y.S.) Agera BioTech, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea (Y.J.J.) Accepted for publication August 14, 2021. Synopsis Chronic itch is the most frequently observed symptom of inflammatory skin disorders. It causes sleep depriva- tion and mental distress and eventually leads to reduced quality of life. Various herbs have been widely used as the main ingredients in functional cosmetics to soothe itchy skin. This study evaluates the effect of the ethanolic extracts of Ageratum houstonianum, Bupleurum falcatum, and Schisandra chinensis on the modulation of the skin barrier component filaggrin (FLG) and keratinocyte-derived itch-inducing factors, including IL31, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and β-endorphin. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels were measured using immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The cellular localization of IL31 and FLG was examined by double immunofluorescence staining. Treatment with A houstonianum, B falcatum, or S chinensis significantly (p 0.05) restored the reduction in FLG expression by IL4 plus IL13 stimulation. The IL4-induced expression of IL31, TSLP, and β-endorphin was also significantly (p 0.05) suppressed at the mRNA and protein levels following treatment with the abovementioned extracts. We also evaluated the efficacy of the A houstonianum, B falcatum, and S chinensis combination for improving the skin barrier function and soothing itchy skin in a clinical study. In conclusion, A houstonianum, B falcatum, and S chinensis (either alone or in combination) can be used as beneficial ingredients for cosmetic applications against chronic inflammatory itch. INTRODUCTION Itch is a cutaneous sensation that triggers the urge to scratch. Itch perception is transmitted by intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli that activate peripheral sensory nerve endings of the nonmyelinated C-fibers branched from dorsal root ganglion neurons at the epidermis and J. Cosmet. Sci., 72, 580–599 (November/December 2021)