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Study · In vitro (cells) · 2026

8 results

A Torilis japonica Extract-GHK-Cu Complex Attenuates Th2 Cytokines and Promotes Keratinocyte Recovery: A Potential Antioxidant Strategy for Atopic Dermatitis.

Jeon S, Maeng J, Lee J, Kim YM, Nam G

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)29 Jun 2026

PMID42510549 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13405852 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/antiox15070818 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42510549
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Summary

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder driven by Th2 immune dysregulation, persistent inflammation, and epidermal barrier defects. Oxidative stress acts as a major upstream factor in this process, amplifying inflammatory signals and worsening disease severity. While current treatments relieve acute symptoms, long-term application is often constrained by side effects and poor barrier restoration, pointing to a need for safer, multifaceted alternatives. Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model. TJE decreased the expression of AD-related chemokines (TARC(Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17)) and CTACK(Cutaneous T-cell-attracting chemokine (CCL27)) as well as IgE production, confirming the suppression of Th2-driven inflammation. An optimized 6:4 ratio (TJE:GHK-Cu) yielded the highest efficacy compared to individual treatments, indicating a synergistic interaction. TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays. The formulation also displayed strong radical scavenging activity without compromising cell viability. These results demonstrate that the TJE-GHK-Cu complex provides simultaneous anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regenerative benefits, presenting a formulation warranting further investigation for managing AD.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study8

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01LabIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In stimulated HaCaT cells, a 6:4 ratio of Torilis japonica extract to GHK‑Cu gave the highest efficacy compared with the individual treatments.

    In plain wordsIn cells, a 6:4 mix of Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu worked better than either one alone.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseEfficacy of 6:4 TJE:GHK-Cu ratio versus single treatments
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Comparator
    TJE alone and GHK-Cu alone
    Outcome group
    Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    An optimized 6:4 ratio (TJE:GHK-Cu) yielded the highest efficacy compared to individual treatments, indicating a synergistic interaction.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone7

In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  1. 02LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In stimulated HaCaT cells, the TJE-GHK‑Cu complex suppressed IL-4 transcription.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu complex lowered activity of the IL-4 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseIL-4 transcription
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  2. 03LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In stimulated HaCaT cells, the TJE-GHK‑Cu complex suppressed IL-5 transcription.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu complex lowered activity of the IL-5 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseIL-5 transcription
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  3. 04LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In stimulated HaCaT cells, the TJE-GHK‑Cu complex suppressed IL-10 transcription.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu complex lowered activity of the IL-10 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseIL-10 transcription
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  4. 05LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In stimulated HaCaT cells, the TJE-GHK‑Cu complex suppressed IL-13 transcription.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu complex lowered activity of the IL-13 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseIL-13 transcription
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  5. 06LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    In HaCaT cells, the TJE-GHK‑Cu complex promoted keratinocyte migration in wound healing assays.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu complex helped skin cells move to close a scratch wound.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseKeratinocyte migration in wound healing assay
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Wound healing · Skin and wound

    Source sentences

    Summary
    TJE-GHK-Cu complex suppressed the transcription of key Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) and promoted keratinocyte migration during wound healing assays.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  6. 07LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement

    The TJE-GHK‑Cu formulation displayed strong radical scavenging activity.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu formulation showed strong antioxidant activity.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseRadical scavenging activity
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Oxidative stress · Skin and wound

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The formulation also displayed strong radical scavenging activity without compromising cell viability.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  7. 08LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cells)Safety outcome

    The TJE-GHK‑Cu formulation did not compromise cell viability.

    In plain wordsIn cells, the Torilis japonica extract and GHK‑Cu formulation did not reduce cell survival.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    No significant changeCell viability
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cell model
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Skin and wound

    Source sentences

    Summary
    without compromising cell viability.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Here, we formulated a complex of Torilis japonica extract (TJE) and GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)) complex and examined its anti-atopic and skin-regenerative properties using a TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α)/IFN-γ (Interferon-γ)-stimulated HaCaT cell model.

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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