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

Abstract

Background Atopic 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 methods In 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. Results A 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. Conclusion 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).

p38 MAPK Inhibitor NJK14047 Suppresses CDNB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Symptoms in BALB/c Mice

“…As AD pathogenesis shares common features with allergic diseases, such as pro-inflammatory immune responses ( Akdis et al ., 2006 ; Bantz et al ., 2014 ), various anti-inflammatory immune regulators from the natural extracts of medicinal plants have shown therapeutic potentials in AD ( Ku et al ., 2018 ; Song et al ., 2019 ; Bai et al ., 2020 ). Notably, from the previous studies, we understand that a common mode of action of natural products exists, i.e., by suppression of MAPKs and NF-κB ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ). Thus, by using NJK14047, a potent and specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, for the first time, we recognized the importance of p38 MAPK inhibitors to develop novel anti-AD drugs because p38 MAPK inhibition distinctly leads to the suppression of the immune responses of AD.…”

“…Many studies have reported the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicines and their active components in treating AD ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ). Interestingly, suppression of AD by traditional Chinese medicines has been reported to be mediated through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and NF-κB components, such as p65 ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ). In fact, overexpression of MAPK mRNA in the skin tissue was observed in the AD group ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ).…”

“…Interestingly, suppression of AD by traditional Chinese medicines has been reported to be mediated through the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and NF-κB components, such as p65 ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ). In fact, overexpression of MAPK mRNA in the skin tissue was observed in the AD group ( Chen et al ., 2020 ; Min et al ., 2022 ; Zhang et al ., 2022 ). However, the role of each MAPK in AD pathogenesis has not yet been studied.…”

Magnolol Reduces Atopic Dermatitis-like Symptoms in BALB/c Mice

“…Also, a significant reduction in inflammation-induced cytokines in skin and lymph nodes was observed after honokiol administration in combination with DNCB treatment [ 10 ]. In the present study, we investigated magnolol, a bioactive lignan found in the bark stripped from the roots, stems, and branches of the Houpu magnolia [ 13 ], a traditional Chinese medicine [ 14 ]. Magnolol has a variety of pharmacological effects, such as anti-anxiety, anti-cancer, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties [ 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Network Pharmacology Integrated with Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Ermiao Wan Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis via Suppressing MAPK and Activating the EGFR/AKT Signaling

“… 8 The alkaloids in EMW have good biological activity, 9 , 10 which can improve skin pruritus by inhibiting serum Th1/2 cytokines, and suppressing the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and P38 in the skin. 11 Owing to the multi-component and multi-target characteristics, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of EMW in AD are unclear. It is difficult to clarify the mechanism of EMW in treating AD using conventional methods.…”