Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ampelopsis Japonica Root on Contact Dermatitis in Mice

Objective:To investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of Ampelopsis japonica on contact dermatitis(CD).Methods:A total of 38 Balb/c mice were divided into 5 groups by using a random number table:normal mice(n=6),CID model mice(n=8),CD mice treated with 3 or 30 mg/kg of the ethanol extract of A.japonica(EEAJ,n=8)and 7.5 mg/kg dexamethasone treated CD mice(DEX,n=8).CD was induced using topical application of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene in mice.EEAJ and DEX were topically applied to the shaved skin of each mouse for 6 days,and the effects of EEAJ and DEX on skin lesions and color,histopathological abnormalities such as epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin-6(IL-6),and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)production were investigated.The effects on changes in body weights and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated.Results:EEAJ at 30 mg/kg significantly prevented scaling,erythema and enlargement of skin weight compared to using carbon dioxide.EEAJ also prevented epithelial hyperplasia and immune cell infiltrations induced by repeated application of DNFB(P<0.01).In addition,EEAJ significantly lowered levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and MCP-1(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The anti-inflammatory effects of EEAJ were similar to those of DEX.Conclusion:A.japonica may be a new therapeutic agent with the potential to reduce or replace corticosteroids and its mechanisms are closely related to regulation of TNF-α production.