Tea saponin extracted from seed pomace of Camellia oleifera Abel ameliorates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Tea saponin (TS) has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on atopic dermatitis (AD) are unknown. This study, therefore, evaluated the therapeutic effects of TS from seed pomace of C. oleifera on AD in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-caused BALB/c mice. The major compositions were separated and analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The antipruritic efficacy as well as the anti-inflammatory activity of TS were assessed using skin lesions, scratching tendency, and cytokine levels in DNCB-caused BALB/c mice. Twenty-six TS were preliminarily identified, and the dermatitis results revealed that TS could significantly reduce the degree of dermatitis and scratching in AD mice induced by DNCB. TS also normalized the skin barriers and inhibited the generation of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and skin tissue of mice. Overall, TS possesses antipruritic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential natural resource for dermatitis treatment.