Compound traditional Chinese medicine dermatitis ointment ameliorates inflammatory responses and dysregulation of itch-related molecules in atopic dermatitis

Rongrong Zhang,Songlan Piao,Shuai Shao,Fengqin Xiao,Yingxin Shen,Jiaming Sun,Guangzhe Li,Daqing Zhao,Mingming Yan,Hongyin Zhang

doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00555-7

Rongrong Zhang, Songlan Piao + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-021-00555-7

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Journal: Chinese Medicine	Publication Date: Jan 4, 2022
Citations: 10	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Changchun University of Chinese Medicine

Abstract

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease accompanied with itchy and scaly rash. Compound traditional Chinese medicine dermatitis ointment (CTCMDO) consists of a mixture of extracts from five plants, which had been used in AD treatment due to good anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.Materials and methodsIn this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometer (LC/MS) were performed to analyze the active ingredients of CTCMDO in detail and to establish its HPLC fingerprint. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and antipruritic activities of CTCMDO were studied in the treatment of DNCB-induced AD in mice.ResultsA total of 44 compounds including phenylpropionic acid compounds, alkaloid compounds, curcumin compounds and lignans were identified via combined HPLC and LC/MS. A fingerprint with 17 common peaks was established. In AD-like mice, DNCB-induced scratching behavior had been suppressed in the treatment of CTCMDO in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the detailed experimental results indicated that the AD can be effectively improved via inhibiting the production of Th1/2 cytokines in serum, reversing the upregulation of substance P levels of itch-related genes in the skin, and suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK, and p38 in the skin.ConclusionThis work indicated that CTCMDO can significantly improve AD via attenuating the pathological alterations of Th1/2 cytokines and itch-related mediators, as well as inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB).

Highlights

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that often causes other allergic disorders, such as food allergies, asthma, and rhinitis [1]
In AD-like mice, DNCB-induced scratching behavior had been suppressed in the treatment of Compound traditional Chinese medicine dermatitis ointment (CTCMDO) in a dose-dependent manner
This work indicated that CTCMDO can significantly improve AD via attenuating the pathological alterations of Th1/2 cytokines and itch-related mediators, as well as inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)

Summary

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that often causes other allergic disorders, such as food allergies, asthma, and rhinitis [1]. AD is not life-threatening, frequent complications such as itchiness, sleep deprivation, social embarrassment and depression often occur due to visible skin lesions, which may seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients [2, 3]. Zhang et al Chinese Medicine (2022) 17:3 that the imbalance of innate and adaptive immunity is the main cause of AD. Compound traditional Chinese medicine dermatitis ointment (CTCMDO) consists of a mixture of extracts from five plants, which had been used in AD treatment due to good anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects

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Discussion

Conclusion