Anti-inflammatory Effects of Saxifrage Cream in Hapten-induced Chronic Dermatitis-eczema in Mice / 中草药·英文版

ABSTRACT

Objective Chronic dermatitis-eczema is a kind of inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic and eczematous skin lesions. In the present study, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of Saxifrage cream on eczema-like skin lesions induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in mice. Methods KM mice were randomly divided into eight groups: normal group (Norm), model group (DNCB), positive group 1 (Dexamethasone cream, DEX), positive group 2 (Chinese herbal medicine Paeonol cream, PA), Saxifrage cream groups (equivalent to crude herb 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 g/g, S1, S2, S4), and negative group (Norm + S4). Except for the normal control group and negative control group, right ears of mice in other groups were repeatedly induced with 0.5% DNCB for four times for 3 d and previously sensitized with 7% DNCB to induce eczema. Then mice in different groups were treated by DEX, PA, S1, S2, and S4, respectively. After mice were sacrificed, weight difference of two ears, immune organ change, and pathological change of right ear were used to assess the effects of the drugs. Results Compared with model group, DEX, PA, S2, and S4 could significantly lower mice ear thickness and swelling degree, and improve eczema skin symptoms. Meanwhile, the index of thymus and spleen in treatment groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). What's more, the histological analysis demonstrated that thickening of the skin lesions were significantly reduced in DEX, S2, and S4-treated group, and the levels of IL-4 and IL-6 in serum could be reduced by DEX, S2, and S4. Conclusion Saxifrage cream has a protective function against DNCB-induced eczematous. The mechanism might be related to alleviate eczematous inflammatory reaction.