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Schisandra chinensis Turcz. fruit is widely used to treat skin diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of the methanol extract of S. chinensis (MESC) on 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis (CD) in mice. The effects of MESC on ear thickness and weight, histopathological changes, immune cell filtration and cytokine production were investigated in DNFB-induced CD mice. Topical application of MESC effectively inhibited ear swelling (30 or 300 μg on the left ear, P

Objectives : The dried root of Sophora flavescens Aiton have been used to treat patient with skin diseases such as eczema in Eastern countries. S. flavescens can clear away heat and dry dampness and purge sthenic-fire from the liver and gallbladder. Recently, anti-allergic effect of S. flavescens has been reported. However, the effect on skin condition of contact dermatitis still remains un known. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of S. flavescens on contact dermatitis. Methods : In order to investigate the effects of S. flavescens (methanol extract of S. flavescens, MESR) on skin condition, the contact dermatitis was induced in mice skin by using 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the effective endpoints, skin thickness, skin weight, histopathological change were checked. In addition, effects on skin lesion, body weight and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated. Results : Topical application of MESR (500 ㎍/day) lowered skin thickness (P < 0.05) and skin weight (P < 0.05), respectively. MESR-treated group showed diminished spongiosis and immune cell infiltration in skin tissues compared to those of non-treated control group. The inhibition of skin lesions was also observed in MESR-treated group. In addition, MESR did not affect body weigh t gain and spleen / body weight ratio in contrast with those in dexamethasone-treated group. Conclusion : These data suggest that Sophorae Radix could improve skin lesion of contact dermatitis. This indicates the possibility for Sophorae Radix to be used to patients with skin diseases such as contact dermatitis.

Background: The slough shed of Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius is widely used to treat skin diseases in China, Japan, and Korea. Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of C. atrata on contact dermatitis. Materials and Methods: We investigated the effects of C. atrata methanol extract (MECA) on ear swelling, histophathological changes and cytokine production in 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis (CD) mice. Results: Topical application of MECA effectively inhibited enlargement of ear swelling (30 and 100 μ/ear, P < 0.05; 300 μg/ear, P < 0.01). MECA treatment also inhibited hyperplasia, spongiosis (100 and 300 μg/ear, P < 0.001), and immune cell infiltration (30 μg/ear, P < 0.05; 100 and 300 μg/ear, P < 0.001) induced by DNFB. In addition, treatment with MECA suppressed the increase in the levels of TNF-α (P < 0.05), IFN-g (3, 100 μg/ear, P < 0.05; 300 μg/ear, P < 0.01), and IL-6 (100 μg/ear, P < 0.05; 300 μg/ear, P < 0.01) production. Conclusion: These data suggest that MECA has the potential for use in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, including CD. Moreover, the results presented herein indicate that anti-inflammatory actions of MECA are mediated by decreasing production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 in inflamed tissues.