Water Extract of Rubus coreanus Prevents Inflammatory Skin Diseases In Vitro Models

Inhibitory effect of Sanguisorba hakusanensis Makino ethanol extract on atopic dermatitis-like responses in NC/Nga mice and human keratinocytes

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic, inflammatory skin disease caused by immune dysregulation. In this study, we investigated anti-atopic and anti-inflammatory activities of Sanguisorba hakusanensis ethanol extract (SHE) both in vivo using NC/Nga mice and in vitro using human HaCaT keratinocytes. Oral administration of SHE suppressed several atopic symptoms associated with house dust mites (induced with Dermatophagoides farinae extract) in NC/Nga mice and decreased serum levels of inflammatory mediators such as immunoglobulin E, histamine, and inflammatory chemokines. Additionally, SHE treatment reduced the infiltration of immune cells such as mast cells and macrophages in AD skin lesions. In vitro, interferon-γ- and tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated HaCaT cells exhibited increased expression of T helper 1 and 2 chemokines; their expression was inhibited by SHE treatment. The anti-inflammatory effects of SHE treatment involved blocking of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 signaling pathways. In conclusion, SHE exerts potent anti-atopic and anti-inflammatory effects and should be considered for the clinical treatment of AD.

Design and Evaluation of Paeonol-Loaded Liposomes in Thermoreversible Gels for Atopic Dermatitis

Paeonol (PAE) is a hydrophobic drug. In this study, we encapsulated paeonol in a lipid bilayer of liposomes (PAE-L), which delayed drug release and increased drug solubility. When PAE-L was dispersed in gels (PAE-L-G) based on a poloxamer matrix material for local transdermal delivery, we observed amphiphilicity, reversible thermal responsiveness, and micellar self-assembly behavior. These gels can be used for atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory skin disease, to change the surface temperature of the skin. In this study, we prepared PAE-L-G at an appropriate temperature for the treatment of AD. We then assessed the gel’s relevant physicochemical properties, in vitro cumulative drug release, and antioxidant properties. We found that PAE-loaded liposomes could be designed to increase the drug effect of thermoreversible gels. At 32 °C, PAE-L-G could change from solution state to gelatinous state at 31.70 ± 0.42 s, while the viscosity was 136.98 ± 0.78 MPa.S and the free radical scavenging rates on DPPH and H2O2 were 92.24 ± 5.57% and 92.12 ± 2.71%, respectively. Drug release across the extracorporeal dialysis membrane reached 41.76 ± 3.78%. In AD-like mice, PAE-L-G could also relieve skin damage by the 12th day. In summary, PAE-L-G could play an antioxidant role and relieve inflammation caused by oxidative stress in AD.

Alleviation effects of Rubus coreanus Miquel root extract on skin symptoms and inflammation in chronic atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic inflammatory dermatitis with immunological manifestations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphenol-containing Rubus coreanus Miquel root extract on skin allergy and AD. The protective effects of R. coreanus root ethanol extract against AD were investigated using the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, human mast cell line HMC-1, and the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin NC/Nga mouse model. Treatment with R. coreanus root ethanol extracts reduced β-hexosaminidase and histamine release from HMC-1 cells stimulated with compound 48/80 compared to treatment with R. coreanus fruit ethanol extract. Furthermore, topical application of R. coreanus root ethanol extract dramatically reduced the severity of skin symptoms and the thickening and swelling of the dorsal skin and ear in DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice. The protein and mRNA expression of several cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TARC) and IgE was significantly lowered upon application of the R. coreanus root ethanol extract. The promising candidate for the active ingredient of R. coreanus root polyphenols was revealed to be ellagic acid. These findings clearly indicate that the R. coreanus root polyphenols show strong anti-allergic effects and suppress the symptoms of AD. Therefore, polyphenol-containing R. coreanus root ethanol extract could be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of allergy and AD.