The Effect of the Polygonum tinctoria Niram on Atopic Dermatitis in Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced BALB/c Mice

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the effects of Polygonum tinctoria Niram (PTN) on atopic dermatitis (AD) in BALB/c mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). They were divided into four groups; Control, DNCB, DNCB+1%PTN (1% PTN extract) and DNCB+5%PTN (5% PTN extract), for evaluating the change of appearance of skin surface, skin hydration, thickness of epidermis and mast cell numbers during 4 weeks. PTN suppressed symptoms of AD in appearance of skin and increased skin hydration for DNCB+1%PTN and DNCB+5%PTN. Treatment with PTN significantly decreased the levels of eosinophils. In histopathological examination, DNCB+1%PTN and DNCB+5%PTN significantly reduced the thickness of epidermis and number of mast cell in dermis. These results suggested that the PTN improved symptoms of AD in BALB/c mice.