2′-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA), the active component isolated from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia, exerts anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms. We recently determined that HCA inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in prostate cancer cells. Because STAT3 overactivation has been closely associated with the development of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease, we examined whether HCA ameliorates skin lesions in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. The results showed that intraperitoneal administration of HCA alleviated imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis, epidermal thickening, dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells, and proinflammatory cytokine production. Mechanistically, HCA inhibited pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 and STAT3 signaling, leading to the suppression of T cell activation, Th17 cell differentiation, and keratinocyte hyperproliferation. These results suggest that HCA may be a new treatment for psoriasis and other STAT3-mediated skin disorders, such as infection, inflammation and carcinogenesis.

2'-羟基肉桂醛 (HCA)，从肉桂茎皮中分离的活性成分，通过多种机制发挥抗癌作用。我们最近确定 HCA 抑制前列腺癌细胞中的信号转导和转录激活因子 3 (STAT3) 信号传导。因为 STAT3 过度激活与银屑病（一种慢性自身免疫性皮肤病）的发展密切相关，我们检查了 HCA 是否能改善咪喹莫特诱导的银屑病样小鼠模型中的皮肤损伤。结果表明，腹腔内给予 HCA 可减轻咪喹莫特诱导的银屑病样皮炎、表皮增厚、炎症细胞的真皮浸润和促炎细胞因子的产生。从机制上讲，HCA 抑制丙酮酸激酶同工酶 M2 和 STAT3 信号传导，从而抑制 T 细胞活化、Th17 细胞分化和角质形成细胞过度增殖。