Huang-Lian-Jie-Du extract ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions induced by 2,4-dinitrobenzene in mice via suppression of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD), is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal formula first written in the Tang dynasty. In Chinese medicine practice, HLJDD is commonly prescribed to treat various inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

The present study aimed at investigating the therapeutic effect of HLJDD extract (HLJDE) and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action in the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Female Balb/c mice were sensitized with DNCB for three days. After sensitization, mice were challenged with DNCB every three days and orally administrated with HLJDE (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) daily from day 14 to day 29 for consecutive 16 days. At the end of experiment, the clinical AD scores of the mice were calculated to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HLJDE, and serum, ears and dorsal skin of the mice were collected for unravelling molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS:

HLJDE significantly reduced the clinical symptoms in the AD-like mice by inhibiting eosinophil and mast cell infiltration, suppressing the production of Th2-associated cytokine (IL-4) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α). In addition, HLJDE significantly suppressed the NF-κB and MAPKs pathways. Moreover, HLJDE was able to accentuate filaggrin expression in the skin lesion when compared to the sensitized mouse without treatment.

CONCLUSION:

HLJDE significantly improved the AD-like symptoms on the DNCB-sensitized mice through mitigating the production of inflammatory mediators via suppressing MAPKs and NF-κB pathways. Additionally, the elevated expression of filaggrin in the skin lesion by HLJDE contributes to the recovery of dysfunctional skin barrier on the DNCB-sensitized mice.

• Authors: Yunlong Chen, Yan-Fang Xian, Steven Loo, Zhengquan Lai, Wood Yee Chan, Ling Liu, Zhi-Xiu Lin
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 249 Pg. 112367 (Mar 01 2020) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 31678637 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• 2,4-dinitrobenzene
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Cytokines
• Dinitrobenzenes
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• NF-kappa B
• Plant Extracts
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• oren gedoku to
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Dermatitis, Atopic (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Dinitrobenzenes (pharmacology)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Eosinophils (drug effects, metabolism)
• Female
• Inflammation (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Mast Cells (drug effects, metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Skin (drug effects, metabolism)
• Skin Diseases (chemically induced, drug therapy, metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)