β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter

Abstract

A β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter containing dipotassium glycyrrhizinate.

Description

β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter

[0001] The present invention relates to a β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter.

[0002] Skin is the outermost layer of the body and is an important tissue that protects the body from external stimuli, and is equipped with a defense function that prevents harmful microorganisms from invading the body. One of these is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). More than 20 types of AMPs have been identified in the skin, with β-defensin-3 being a representative example. AMPs are produced in epidermal cells, stored in lamellar granules, and released into stratum corneum cells (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). AMPs are thought to protect the body from external stimuli by inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms as antibacterial agents.

[0003] So far, butcher's broom extract (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and the like are known to have the effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression.

[0004] However, there remains a strong demand for new materials that have excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effects and are highly safe, and therefore can be widely used as components of external compositions such as cosmetics and research reagents, and there is currently a need for their rapid development.

[0005] JP 2018-104364 A

[0006] Dermatology to read when considering the efficacy of cosmetics, 2020, pp. 37-39

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and achieve the following object: Namely, the present invention aims to provide a β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter that has an excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression-promoting effect and is highly safe.

[0008] As a result of extensive research conducted by the present inventors to solve the above problems, it was discovered that dipotassium glycyrrhizinate has an excellent effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression, is highly safe, and is a useful material for promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression.

[0009] The present invention is based on the above-mentioned findings of the present inventors, and provides the following means for solving the above problems. Specifically, <1> A β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter comprising dipotassium glycyrrhizinate. <2> The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter according to <1>, further comprising a saxifrage extract. <3> The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter according to <1>, used in combination with a saxifrage extract. <4> Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to promote the expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA for use in the prevention and / or treatment of one or more diseases selected from the group consisting of infectious diseases and skin diseases. <5> Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to <4>, wherein the disease is an infectious disease. <6> Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to <4>, wherein the skin disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. <7> Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to <4>, wherein the disease is acne vulgaris. <8> Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to any one of <4> to <7>, in combination with a saxifrage extract.

[0010] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter of the present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and achieve the above-mentioned object, and can provide a β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter that has excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting activity and is highly safe.

[0011] (β-Defensin-3 mRNA Expression Promoter) The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter according to this embodiment contains dipotassium glycyrrhizinate as an active ingredient, and further contains other ingredients as required.

[0012] As used herein, promoting the expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA refers to increasing the expression level of β-defensin-3 mRNA compared to when the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is not used. The degree of promotion of β-defensin-3 mRNA expression is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0013] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is preferably used in combination with a saxifrage extract, since this enhances the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect and provides a more excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect. The manner in which it is used in combination with a saxifrage extract is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include an embodiment in which the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter further comprises a saxifrage extract, and an embodiment in which the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is used in combination with a saxifrage extract.

[0014] It was not previously known that dipotassium glycyrrhizinate has an excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect and is useful as a β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting agent, and that the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect is enhanced when dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is used in combination with the saxifrage extract, and these findings are new findings made by the present inventors.

[0015] <Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate> Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is C ４２ H ６０ K ２ O １６ Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is a compound having a molecular weight of 899.1 and is represented by the following formula: Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate may be prepared by chemical synthesis or may be a commercially available product.

[0016] The chemical synthesis method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a method of reacting glycyrrhizinic acid with potassium hydroxide (KOH) or the like can be mentioned.

[0017] The method for obtaining the glycyrrhizinic acid is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include a method using a commercially available product, and a method for obtaining the glycyrrhizinic acid by at least one of isolation and purification from a plant extract containing glycyrrhizinic acid.

[0018] The plant extract containing glycyrrhizinic acid may be an extract obtained using a plant containing glycyrrhizinic acid as an extraction raw material, a diluted or concentrated solution of the extract, a dried product obtained by drying the extract, or a crude or purified product thereof.

[0019] The plant extract containing glycyrrhizinic acid can be obtained by a method commonly used for extracting plants. Examples of plants containing glycyrrhizinic acid include licorice.

[0020] The dipotassium glycyrrhizinate has an excellent effect of promoting the expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA, and by utilizing this effect, it can be used as an active ingredient of the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter.

[0021] <Saxifragaceae Extract> The saxifragaceae extract is extracted from saxifragaceae (scientific name: Saxifraga stolonifera) as a raw material.

[0022] Saxifraga stolonifera is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the genus Saxifraga of the family Saxifragaceae, which is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan and overseas in China, and is easily available in these areas.

[0023] The saxifrage extract may be prepared from an extraction raw material, or a commercially available product may be used.

[0024] The parts that can be used as the extraction raw material are not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, such as leaves, stems, flowers, buds, seeds, roots, above-ground parts, or mixtures thereof. Among these, the whole plant is preferred. The shape, structure, and size of the extraction raw material are not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose.

[0025] Although the details of the substance contained in saxifrage extract that has the effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression are unknown, an extract having the effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression can be obtained from saxifrage using extraction methods commonly used for plant extraction, etc.

[0026] In the present invention, the term "extract" includes an extract obtained from an extraction raw material by extraction treatment, a diluted or concentrated extract, a dried product obtained by drying an extract, or any of these roughly purified or purified products.

[0027] The extract can be obtained by drying the raw material, either directly or after crushing using a crusher, and then subjecting it to extraction with an extraction solvent. Drying can be performed in the sun or using a commonly used dryer. The raw material can also be used after pretreatment, such as degreasing, using a nonpolar solvent such as hexane. Pretreatment, such as degreasing, allows for efficient extraction of the raw material with a polar solvent.

[0028] The solvent used for extraction is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include water, a hydrophilic organic solvent, or a mixture thereof. The solvent is preferably used at room temperature or at a temperature below the boiling point of the solvent. Components contained in the extraction material that have the effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression can be easily extracted by extraction using a polar solvent as the extraction solvent.

[0029] The water that can be used as the extraction solvent is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and includes, for example, pure water, tap water, well water, mineral water, hot spring water, spring water, fresh water, etc., as well as water that has undergone various treatments. The treatment that can be applied to the water is also not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose, and includes, for example, purification, heating, sterilization, filtration, ion exchange, adjustment of osmotic pressure, buffering, etc. Therefore, the water that can be used as the extraction solvent in this embodiment also includes purified water, hot water, ion-exchanged water, physiological saline, phosphate buffer, phosphate-buffered physiological saline, etc.

[0030] The hydrophilic organic solvent that can be used as the extraction solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include lower aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol; lower aliphatic ketones, such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] When a mixture of two or more polar solvents is used as the extraction solvent, the mixing ratio can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, when a mixture of water and a lower aliphatic alcohol is used as the extraction solvent, it is preferable to mix 1 to 90 volume parts of the lower aliphatic alcohol with 10 volume parts of water. When a mixture of water and a lower aliphatic ketone is used as the extraction solvent, it is preferable to mix 1 to 40 volume parts of the lower aliphatic ketone with 10 volume parts of water. When a mixture of water and a polyhydric alcohol is used as the extraction solvent, it is preferable to mix 1 to 90 volume parts of the polyhydric alcohol with 10 volume parts of water. Among these, it is preferable to use a mixture of 50 volume% water and 50 volume% 1,3-butylene glycol as the extraction solvent.

[0032] The extraction process is not particularly limited as long as it allows the soluble components contained in the extraction raw material to be dissolved into the extraction solvent, and can be carried out according to conventional methods. For example, extraction can be carried out at room temperature or under reflux heating. For example, the extraction raw material is placed in a treatment tank filled with the extraction solvent, and while stirring as necessary, the mixture is left to stand for 30 minutes to 4 hours to dissolve the soluble components, followed by filtration to remove solids, thereby obtaining an extract. Distilling the extraction solvent from the resulting extract yields a paste-like concentrate, which is then further dried to obtain a dried product. When water is used as the extraction solvent, the extraction conditions are approximately 50 to 95°C for 1 to 4 hours. When a mixed solvent of water and ethanol is used as the extraction solvent, the extraction conditions are approximately 40 to 80°C for 30 minutes to 4 hours. When a mixed solvent of water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as the extraction solvent, the extraction conditions are approximately 80 to 90°C for 2 hours. The extraction time and extraction temperature described above are merely examples and may be varied as appropriate. The amount of extraction solvent used is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the purpose.

[0033] The extract obtained as described above may be subjected to treatments such as dilution, concentration, drying, purification, etc. according to conventional methods to obtain a diluted or concentrated solution of the extract, a dried product of the extract, or a crude or purified product thereof.

[0034] The obtained extract can be used as it is as a component to be incorporated into the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter or as a compound to be used in combination with the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter, but is preferably prepared as a concentrated solution or dried product. When preparing a dried product, a carrier such as dextrin or cyclodextrin may be added to improve hygroscopicity.

[0035] Furthermore, because saxifrage has a distinctive odor, it can be purified for the purposes of bleaching and deodorizing to the extent that its physiological activity is not reduced, but since it is not used in large quantities when added to cosmetics, there is no practical problem in using it unpurified. Purification can be carried out by, for example, activated carbon treatment, adsorption resin treatment, ion exchange resin treatment, etc.

[0036] The saxifrage extract obtained in the manner described above has an excellent effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression, and therefore, by utilizing this effect, it can be used as an ingredient to be incorporated into the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter or as an active ingredient of an agent to be used in combination with the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter.

[0037] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter may consist solely of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, or may be a formulation containing dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and, if necessary, the saxifrage extract. When the saxifrage extract is used, the mass ratio of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to the saxifrage extract is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0038] The dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and, if necessary, the Saxifraga extract can be formulated into any dosage form, such as powder, granules, or liquid, using a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as dextrin or cyclodextrin, or any other auxiliary agent, according to a conventional method. In this case, examples of auxiliary agents that can be used include excipients, stabilizers, and odor masking agents. Examples of the formulated β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter include ointments and external liquids.

[0039] The contents of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and Saxifraga extract in the formulated β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0040] <Other Components> The other components are not particularly limited as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention and can be appropriately selected depending on the form of use of the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter, etc. Examples include the above-mentioned components that can be used when formulating the formulation. The other components may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] The content of the other components in the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0042] The method of administering the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter to a subject is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include transdermal administration.

[0043] There are no particular limitations on the dosage, administration period, administration interval, administration site, etc. of the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter to a subject, and these can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.

[0044] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter can promote β-defensin-3 mRNA expression through the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate. Furthermore, when used in combination with the saxifrage extract, the promotion of β-defensin-3 mRNA expression is enhanced, resulting in even more effective β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect. This inhibits the growth of harmful microorganisms, thereby enabling the prevention and / or treatment of infectious diseases and strengthening of the skin barrier. It can also be used, for example, to prevent and / or treat skin diseases. Examples of such skin diseases include acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. However, the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter can also be used for any other purpose where the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect is significant.

[0045] Furthermore, because the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter has an excellent β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect, it is suitable for incorporation into cosmetics such as skin cosmetics, scalp cosmetics, hair cosmetics, etc. In this case, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and, if necessary, saxifrage extract may be incorporated directly, or a formulation of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and, if necessary, saxifrage extract may be incorporated.

[0046] Cosmetics that can be blended with the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include ointments, creams, emulsions, skin lotions, lotions, beauty serums, packs, foundations, hair tonics, hair lotions, shampoos, rinses, and soaps.

[0047] When the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is incorporated into a cosmetic, the amount of the promoter to be incorporated is not particularly limited and can be adjusted appropriately depending on the type of cosmetic, etc. However, the amount is preferably about 0.0001 to 10% by mass, and more preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass, calculated as the amount of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate.

[0048] As long as the cosmetic preparation does not interfere with the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, it can be used in combination with main ingredients, auxiliaries, and other ingredients typically used in the manufacture of cosmetics, such as astringents, bactericides / antibacterial agents, whitening agents, ultraviolet absorbers, moisturizers, cell activators, anti-inflammatory / antiallergic agents, antioxidants / active oxygen scavengers, oils and fats, waxes, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, esters, surfactants, fragrances, etc. Such combinations can result in more general-purpose products, and the synergistic effect with the other active ingredients used in combination can sometimes bring about effects superior to those normally expected.

[0049] The method for producing the cosmetic is not particularly limited, and any known method can be appropriately selected.

[0050] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter is preferably applied to humans, but can also be applied to animals other than humans (e.g., mice, rats, hamsters, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, monkeys, etc.) as long as the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect is achieved.

[0051] The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter can also be suitably used as a reagent for research into the mechanism of β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promotion.

[0052] As described above, the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter has the effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression. Therefore, the present invention also relates to a method for promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression, which comprises administering the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter to a subject.

[0053] The present invention also relates to the use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to promote the expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA for use in the prevention and / or treatment of one or more diseases selected from the group consisting of infectious diseases and skin diseases. In the use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate is used to promote the expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA in the prevention and / or treatment of one or more diseases selected from the group consisting of infectious diseases and skin diseases. As used herein, "prevention" refers to preventing the onset of a disease and includes preventing recurrence. "Treatment" refers to curing a disease and includes alleviating symptoms. Preferred embodiments of the use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate include an embodiment in which the disease is an infectious disease, an embodiment in which the skin disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, an embodiment in which the disease is acne vulgaris, and an embodiment in which saxifrage extract is used in combination.

[0054] The present invention will be explained in more detail below by showing test examples, production examples and formulation examples, but the present invention is not limited to the test examples, production examples and formulation examples described below.

[0055] Test Example 1: Test for promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression Using dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (external dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, manufactured by Maruzen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) as a test sample, a test for promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression was carried out by the following method.

[0056] <Test Method> Normal human neonatal epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) were cultured in normal human epidermal keratinocyte growth medium (KGM), and then the cells were harvested by trypsinization. The harvested cells were plated in a 6-well plate at 3.0 × 10 ５Cells were seeded at 2 mL per well and incubated at 37°C, 5% CO ２ After culturing, the medium was replaced with a growth factor-free medium (KBM). After 24 hours, the culture medium was discarded, and 2 mL of the test sample dissolved in KBM at the required concentration (see Table 1 below for the concentration) was added to each well. The cells were then incubated at 37°C and 5% CO ２ The cells were cultured for 24 hours under a constant temperature. As a control, KBM without the test sample was used and cultured in the same manner. After culturing, the culture medium was discarded, and total RNA was extracted using ISOGEN II (Nippon Gene Co., Ltd.; Cat. no. 311-07361). The amount of each RNA was measured using a spectrophotometer, and total RNA was prepared to 200 ng / μL. Using this total RNA as a template, the expression levels of β-defensin-3 (h-BD3) and the internal standard GAPDH mRNA were measured. Detection was performed using a real-time PCR device, Thermal Cycler Dice® Real Time System III (Takara Bio Inc.), using PrimeScript ＴＭ The reaction was carried out by a two-step real-time RT-PCR reaction using RT Master Mix (Perfect Real Time) (manufactured by Takara Bio Inc.) and TB Green (registered trademark) Fast qPCR Mix (manufactured by Takara Bio Inc.). The expression level of β-defensin-3 mRNA was calculated after correcting it with the expression level of GAPDH mRNA. From the obtained results, the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promotion rate (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "h-BD3 mRNA expression promotion rate") was calculated using the following formula. The results are shown in Table 1. In the following formula, the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promotion rate without the addition of the test sample is 100%. β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promotion rate (%) = A / B × 100 In the above formula, A to B respectively represent the following: A: Corrected value when test sample is added B: Corrected value when test sample is not added

[0057]

[0058] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that dipotassium glycyrrhizinate has an excellent effect of promoting β-defensin-3 mRNA expression.

[0059] Test Example 2: Test of β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and saxifrage extract in combination was tested by the following method. Note that the same dipotassium glycyrrhizinate as in Test Example 1 was used, and the saxifrage extract prepared in the following Preparation Example 1 was used.

[0060] <Production Example 1> Production of Saxifraga extract 1,500 mL of 50% by volume butylene glycol was added to 100 g of dried whole plant of Saxifraga, and extraction was carried out by heating at 80 to 90°C for 2 hours in a reflux extractor, followed by hot filtration. The obtained extract was dried to obtain Saxifraga extract (10 g).

[0061] <Test Method> Except for using the test samples shown in Table 2 below, the promotion rate of β-defensin-3 mRNA expression was determined in the same manner as in Test Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0062]

[0063] As shown in Table 2, the combined use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate and saxifrage extract enhanced the β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoting effect.

[0064] Formulation Example 1 A cream having the following composition was prepared by a conventional method.・Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate 0.05 g (same as used in Test Example 1) ・Sophora Root Extract 0.1 g ・Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract 0.1 g ・Liquid paraffin 5.0 g ・White beeswax 4.0 g ・Squalane 10.0 g ・Cetyl alcohol 3.0 g ・Lanolin 2.0 g ・Stearic acid 1.0 g ・Polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleate 1.5 g (20 E.O.) ・Glyceryl monostearate 3.0 g ・Oil-soluble licorice extract 0.1 g ・1,3-butylene glycol 6.0 g ・Methyl parahydroxybenzoate 1.5 g ・Fragrance 0.1 g ・Purified water Balance (total amount is 100 g)

[0065] Formulation Example 2 An emulsion having the following composition was prepared by a conventional method. Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate 0.05 g (same as used in Test Example 1) Saxifraga extract (Production Example 1) 0.05 g Jojoba oil 4.00 g 1,3-butylene glycol 3.00 g Arbutin 3.00 g Polyoxyethylene cetyl ether 2.50 g (20 E.O.) Olive oil 2.00 g Squalane 2.00 g Cetyl alcohol 2.00 g Glyceryl monostearate 2.00 g Polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleate 2.00 g (20 E.O.) Methyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.15 g Stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.10 g Phellodendron amurense extract 0.10 g Ginkgo biloba leaf extract 0.10g, conchiolin 0.10g, phellodendron bark extract 0.10g, chamomile extract 0.10g, fragrance 0.05g, purified water, balance (total amount 100g)

[0066] Formulation Example 3 A beauty serum having the following composition was prepared by a conventional method: Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate 0.08 g (same as used in Test Example 1) Saxifraga extract (Preparation Example 1) 0.03 g Chamomile extract 0.1 g Carrot extract 0.1 g Xanthan gum 0.3 g Hydroxyethyl cellulose 0.1 g Carboxyvinyl polymer 0.1 g 1,3-butylene glycol 4.0 g Glycerin 2.0 g Potassium hydroxide 0.25 g Fragrance 0.01 g Preservative (methyl parahydroxybenzoate) 0.15 g Ethanol 2.0 g Purified water Balance (total amount: 100 g)

[0067] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-112321, filed on July 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter comprising dipotassium glycyrrhizinate.

2. The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter according to claim 1, further comprising an extract of Saxifragaceae.

3. The β-defensin-3 mRNA expression promoter according to claim 1, which is used in combination with an extract of Saxifragaceae.

4. Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate to promote expression of β-defensin-3 mRNA for use in the prevention and / or treatment of one or more diseases selected from the group consisting of infectious diseases and skin diseases.

5. The use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to claim 4, wherein the disease is an infectious disease.

6. Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to claim 4, wherein the skin disease is one or more selected from the group consisting of acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

7. The use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate as described in claim 4, wherein the disease is acne vulgaris.

8. Use of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate according to any one of claims 4 to 7 in combination with an extract of Saxifrage.

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