The Extract of D. dasycarpus Ameliorates Oxazolone-Induced Skin Damage in Mice by Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Mechanisms
Open Access
- 15 June 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Antioxidants
- Vol. 7 (6), 77
- https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox7060077
Abstract
Dictamni dasycarpus is a type of Chinese medicine made from the root bark of D. dasycarpus. It has been reported to show a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological effects, for example, it has been used widely for the treatment of rheumatism, nettle rash, itching, jaundice, chronic hepatitis and skin diseases. In the current study, D. dasycarpus extract was investigated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its capability to alleviate oxazolone-induced skin damage in mice. The possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of D. dasycarpus extract against oxidative challenge was elucidated by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, interleukin-6, Tumor necrosis factor-α, NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NALP3)) inflammasome and interleukin-1β in HaCaT cells. D. dasycarpus extract did not affect cell viability in basal conditions. The extract significantly reduced oxazolone-induced epidermal swelling compared to untreated animal in the hairless albino mice (ICR mice) model. At the molecular level, Western blot assays indicated that the D. dasycarpus extract attenuated oxazolone-induced activation of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), procaspase-1, NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) such as c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38. This study demonstrates that D. dasycarpus extract could protect skin cells against oxidative and inflammatory insult by modulating the intracellular levels of ROS, TNF-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome generation, antioxidant enzyme activity and cell signaling pathways. D. dasycarpus extract also attenuated the expression of NF-κB in HaCaT keratinocytes and thereby effectively downregulated inflammatory responses in the skin. Furthermore, D. dasycarpus extract alleviated oxazolone-induced damage in mice. Our results suggest the potential application of D. dasycarpus extract in preventing inflammatory processes in dermatitis.Funding Information
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 104-2213-B-241-001 and MOST 106-2622-8-214-002-TB1.)
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Determination of limonin in dog plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic studyBiomedical Chromatography, 2012
- Interleukin-1, inflammasomes and the skinEuropean Journal of Cell Biology, 2010
- Signaling by ROS drives inflammasome activationEuropean Journal of Immunology, 2010
- NLRP3 inflammasome activation: the convergence of multiple signalling pathways on ROS production?Nature Reviews Immunology, 2010
- Characterization of a Hapten-Induced, Murine Model with Multiple Features of Atopic Dermatitis: Structural, Immunologic, and Biochemical Changes following Single Versus Multiple Oxazolone ChallengesJournal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
- The Inflammasome Mediates UVB-Induced Activation and Secretion of Interleukin-1β by KeratinocytesCurrent Biology, 2007
- In vivo Pharmacological Disease Models for Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis in Drug Discovery*Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2006
- Afferent and Efferent Phases of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) Can Be Induced After a Single Skin Contact with Haptens: Evidence Using a Mouse Model of Primary ACDJournal of Investigative Dermatology, 2003
- NF-κB: a key role in inflammatory diseasesJCI Insight, 2001
- Cytokine Modulation of Keratinocyte CytokinesJournal of Investigative Dermatology, 1990