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Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) SCHLEID. has been used to treat epidemic fever, dysuria, and various skin ailments, such as measles eruptions, eczema, and pruritus, in China, Japan, and Korea. In this study, the active compounds in S. polyrhiza and their target genes were identified by network-based analysis. Moreover, the study evaluated the effects of a 70% ethanolic extract of S. polyrhiza (EESP) on skin lesions, histopathological changes, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in mice with contact dermatitis (CD) induced by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB), and examined the inhibitory effects of EESP on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. In our results, 14 active compounds and 29 CD-related target genes were identified. Among them, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were identified as hub genes, and luteolin and apigenin showed a strong binding affinity with TNF (<−8 kcal/mol) and IL-6 (<−6 kcal/mol). Our in vivo studies showed that topical EESP ameliorated DNFB-induced skin lesions and histopathological abnormalities, and reduced the levels of TNF-α, interferon (IFN)-ɣ, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in inflamed tissues. In conclusion, our findings suggest the potential for dermatological applications of S. polyrhiza and suggest that its anti-dermatitis action is related to the inhibition of TNF and IL-6 by luteolin and luteolin glycosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seed oils like sesame and camellia oils are used in herbal medicine to treat skin diseases and it has been reported that the seeds of Thuja orientalis have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. Objectives: We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of the seeds of T. orientalis (EETO) on a dinitrofluorobenzene-induced mouse model of contact dermatitis (CD). Materials and Methods: We investigated the effects of EETO on CD lesions and skin thickness, skin color, histopathologic findings, and cytokine production in mouse skins. Results: EETO ameliorated skin roughness, excoriation, scabs, and erythema. EETO also reduced erythema, melanin index, and inhibited skin thickness increases in CD mice. In addition, histopathologic examinations showed that EETO decreased epidermal hyperplasia, keratinization, and the productions of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1). Conclusion: These results suggest that ethanolic extracts of the seeds of T. orientalis might provide relatively safe treatments for CD and that its therapeutic effect is exerted through inhibitions of IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]