Portulaca oleracea L. extracts alleviate 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic allergic skin disease characterized clinically by severe skin lesions and pruritus. Portulaca oleracea L. (PO) is a resourceful plant with homologous properties in medicine and food. In this study, we used two different methods to extract PO, and compared the therapeutic effects of PO aqueous extract (POAE) and PO ultrasound-assisted ethanol extract (POEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mice. The results showed that in POAE and POEE, the extraction rates of polysaccharides were 16.95% and 9.85%, while the extraction rates of total flavonoids were 3.15% and 3.25%, respectively. Compared with AD mice, clinical symptoms such as erythema, edema, dryness and ulceration in the back and left ear were alleviated, and pruritus behavior was reduced after POAE and POEE treatments. The thickness of the skin epidermis was thinned, the density of skin nerve fibers labeled with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) was decreased, and mast cell infiltration was reduced. There was a decrease in blood lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils, a significant decrease in spleen index and a noticeable decrease in serum immunoglobulin E (Ig E). POEE significantly reduced the concentration of the skin pruritic factor interleukin (Il)-31. POAE and POEE reduced the concentration of skin histamine (His), down-regulated mRNA expression levels of interferon-γ (Ifnγ), tumor necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (Tslp) and Il-4, with an increase of Filaggrin (Flg) and Loricrin (Lor) in skin lesions. These results suggested that POAE and POEE may inhibit atopic response and alleviate the clinical symptoms of AD by inhibiting the expression of immune cells, inflammatory mediators and cytokines. PO may be a potential effective drug for AD-like diseases.

Inhibition of Mast Cell Degranulation in Atopic Dermatitis by Celastrol through Suppressing MRGPRX2

“…Mast cells activated in atopic dermatitis release a large number of inflammatory cytokines, histamine, and protease through degranulation [ 7 , 8 ] and play an important role in regulating inflammatory response and itching [ 9 , 10 ]. Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) is specifically expressed by skin mast cells and is considered a new marker for regulating mast cell degranulation, chronic inflammation, and anaphylaxis [ 11 ].…”

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Exerted by 14-Methoxyalternate C from Antarctic Fungal Strain Pleosporales sp. SF-7343 via the Regulation of NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 in HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

“…FLG is a basic structural protein for the maintenance and development of the skin barrier function. It induces the outermost skin cell’s structural proteins to form tight bundles that flatten and strengthen the cells to create a strong and solid skin barrier [ 31 ]. Mutations in the FLG gene encoding filaggrin cause other atopic diseases, increased risk of ADs, and exacerbation of some conditions [ 32 ].…”

MicroRNA-29a-3p prevents Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis by targeting Roundabout homolog 1 in hepatic stellate cells

“…Total eggs per gram in the liver were calculated using the following formula: the number of eggs calculated × 5. The liver or spleen index was calculated with the following formula: (total weight of mouse liver or spleen/total weight of mouse body) × 100% [ 12 , 37 , 38 ]. The size of egg granulomas was measured in Mayer’s H&E sections using a calibrated measuring eyepiece, and the extent of fibrosis was evaluated by Masson’s trichrome staining of sections, as previously described [ 12 ].…”