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Abstract Dermatitis is defined as a set of inflammatory diseases that affect the skin, with varied causes. Among the different types of dermatitis, contact dermatitis is the most prevalent. Although the current therapy is often effective, it is associated with adverse effects and the possibility of drug tolerance. N-Methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline is a L-proline amino acid derivative found in the leaves of Sideroxylon obtusifolium, a species traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the topical anti-inflammatory effect of N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced irritant contact dermatitis in mice. Topically administered NMP, at doses of 0.03 − 0.50 mg/ear, reduced TPA-induced ear edema and neutrophil migration, as evidenced by low tissue myeloperoxidase activity and verified by histological examination. In addition, NMP (0.06 mg/ear) reduced tissue levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, INF-γ and MCP-1) and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reduced gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β increased by TPA. The data suggest that N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline acts as a topical anti-inflammatory agent that decreases the expression of inflammatory cytokines, making it useful for the treatment of skin inflammation. Further investigations are necessary for its development as a therapeutic agent.