Kaempferol

 TSLP-TSLPR interaction; senna leaves; devil's claw root; Prunus spinosa; Primula veris; common cowslip; Rhamnus species;   

A flavone derivative (see “Flavonoids” below) that occurs naturally in numerous plants, usually bound to a sugar via a glycosidic bond. Kaempferol is found, among other places, in senna leaves, devil’s claw root, the flowers of Prunus spinosa and Primula veris (common cowslip), and in the fruits of Rhamnus species.  

Kämpferol is a phytoestrogen. The substance has been experimentally proven to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardio- and neuroprotective, analgesic and anxiolytic effects.

Kaempferol is a biologically active plant polyphenol with a remarkably broad spectrum of experimental activity. Its effects on NF-κB, Nrf2, NLRP3, and mitochondrial apoptosis, in particular, make it of interest for basic research in dermatology and oncology.

Kaempferol-7-O-glucoside (K-7-G) interferes with the TSLP-TSLPR interaction, selectively inhibited TSLP-mediated JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation, and significantly reduced IL-4 (p < 0.0001) and IL-13 levels (p < 0.001). 

Topical application of 1% K-7-G significantly alleviated AD-like symptoms in a mouse model by reducing back skin thickness, the dermatitis score, and scratching frequency, while simultaneously restoring the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, and occludin. At the same time, K-7-G reduces key inflammatory mediators in a concentration-dependent manner, including TSLP, IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IgE ( Lan X et al. 2026).

The greatest obstacle to its medical use is its limited systemic bioavailability. Kaempferol is often ingested as a glycoside through the diet. Following intestinal hydrolysis and absorption, it undergoes extensive metabolism, particularly through glucuronidation and sulfation. Consequently, the actual exposure of the organism differs significantly from the experimental conditions of many cell culture studies, in which free kaempferol is used in comparatively high concentrations.

Interactions with the gut microbiome are also of interest: gut bacteria can metabolize flavonoid glycosides and their degradation products. Conversely, the effects of kaempferol on microbial communities are being investigated. The clinical significance of these interactions remains unclear.

Various publications have examined 0.1% kaempferol applications. Clinical use cannot currently be recommended. 

1. Lan X et al. (2026) Kaempferol-7-O-glucoside alleviates atopic dermatitis via the TSLP-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling axis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 19:580.