title: Topical application of Kochia scoparia inhibits the development of contact dermatitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kochia scoparia (Chenopodiaceae) has been reported to have anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-pruritic actions. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of externally applied Kochia scoparia water extract (KSW) in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  To develop atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions, 100μL of 1% DNCB in acetone/olive oil (4:1) had been applied for three days on shaved dorsal skin. 1% KSW was topically applied to DNCB-induced mice. After KSW treatment, histological analysis was measured by hematoxylin eosin staining. The cytokine and pro-inflammatory expressions were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological studies showed that hyperplasia of the epidermis and dermis in the KSW treated group was markedly decreased as compared with the DNCB group. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNA were significantly reduced by topical application of KSW, whereas these cytokines were increased in DNCB-induced dorsal skin. In addition, NF-κB expression was inhibited by KSW treatment in DNCB-induced mice. Similarly, KSW treatment significantly suppressed the expression of several MAP kinases, including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK compared to their expression in DNCB-induced mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicated that KSW ameliorates contact dermatitis via inhibition of the production of several inflammatory mediators. Therefore, external application of KSW may be used for the treatment of contact dermatitis as an alternative therapy.
authors.affiliation: College of Korean Medicine and Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: You Yeon
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: College of Korean Medicine and Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Hye
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Ye
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jongki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Korean Medicine and Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, South Korea. Electronic address: wmyang@khu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Woong Mo
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027467:Bassia scoparia / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Contact dermatitis; Cytokine; DNCB; Inflammation; Kochia scoparia