Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., root bark alleviates oxazolone-induced atopy-like dermatitis in mice

Background: Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., is one of the most frequently used herbal medicine to treat dermatosis associated with psoriasis, pruritus, scabies, and eczema. Objective: We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of D. dasycarpus extract (DDE) using a mouse model with atopic dermatitis (AD)-like dermatitis. Materials and Methods: The therapeutic effects of DDE on skin lesion, tone of color, and inhibitory effects on histopathological changes and cytokine production in skin tissues were assessed in mice with AD-like dermatitis induced by oxazolone. Results: Topical application of DDE alleviated skin lesions such as erythema, scaling and excoriations, and ameliorated erythema and the melanin index. In addition, DDE effectively prevented skin enlargement induced by oxazolone, while also preventing epidermal hyperplasia, spongiotic change, and hyperkeratosis and reducing the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in inflamed tissues. Finally, DDE did not affect changes in body weight and spleenubody weight ratio relative to dexamethasone. Conclusion: These results indicate that D. dasycarpus can be used as a topical agent for inflammatory skin diseases with relative safety.