Anti-inflammatory effects of Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius. slough shed on contact dermatitis induced by dinitrofluorobenzene in mice

Background: The slough shed of Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius. is widely used to treat skin diseases in China, Japan and Korea [1]. C. atrata and its isolated components have anti-convulsive, sedative and hypothermic [2], and anti-allergic effects [3]. So, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of C. atrata on contact dermatitis (CD).

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 CD mice.

Results: Topical application of MECA effectively inhibited enlargement of ear swelling (30 and 100 µg/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 mg/ear, p < 0.001) induced by DNFB. In addition, treatment with MECA suppressed the increase in the levels of TNF-α (p < 0.05) and IFN-γ (3, 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, and IFN-γ in inflamed tissues.

Keywords: Cryptotympana atrata, traditional medicine, inflammation, contact dermatitis

References:

[1] Zuo Y et al. (2003) Science of chinese materia medica Sanghai Xinhua Printing Works. Sanghai.

[2] Hsieh MT et al. (1991)J Ethnopharmacol 35(1): 83 – 90.

[3] Shin TY et al. (1999)J Ethnopharmacol 66(3): 319 – 325.