Article · Volume 16, Issue 72 · pp. 700–705

Ethanol Extract of Thuja orientalis L. Seeds Ameliorated Skin Lesions in a Dinitrofluorobenzene‑Induced Mouse Model of Contact Dermatitis

Kukhwa Kim¹, Daniel Lee¹, Yoonhyoung Kang¹, Seonkyung Jang¹, Seung‑Jeong Yang², Hyungwoo Kim¹

¹Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan City, Gyeongnam.
²Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology , Korean Medicine Hospital, Dongshin University, Naju, Jeonnam, South Korea.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Contact dermatitis; herbal medicine; inflammation; seed oil; Thuja orientalis

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