Section Days abstract book 2010.indd - RUB Research School ...

LS_2
The effect of synthetic sandalwood odorants on human
skin cells
Daniela Busse, Anna Christina Sondersorg, Hanns Hatt & Heike Benecke
Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
e-mail: daniela.busse@rub.de
Sandalwood oil is obtained from the East Asian sandalwood tree (Santalum album L.). The
essential oil is a quite rare and therefore expensive substance which is extensively used in the
fragrance industry. In the past, considerable effort was invested to synthesize a variety of
cheaper substitutes with similar odor qualities. However, their effect on skin physiology is
largely unknown. In the present study the effect of synthetic sandalwood odorants on human
skin cells is analyzed.
In calcium imaging experiments several synthetic sandalwood odorants (Sandalore,
Sandranol, Javanol and Ebanol) have been identified that induce transient calcium signals
when applied to human skin cells. Further pharmacological characterization of the Sandaloreinduced
calcium elevation revealed an involvement of a cAMP-depended signaling pathway.
Moreover, long term stimulation with Sandalore leads to an increase in keratinocyte
proliferation. Finally, RNA analysis confirmed the expression of an olfactory receptor,
OR2AT4, in human keratinocytes which is a potential target for Sandalore in the recombinant
HEK293 system.
Analysis of the chemoreceptive properties of human keratinocytes will help to enhance our
understanding on physiological and pathophysiological processes of the skin.