title: Effects of astaxanthin on dinitrofluorobenzene-induced contact dermatitis in mice.
abstract: Astaxanthin (AST) is known to exhibit antioxidative and antitumor properties, therefore, the present study investigated its other potential medical applications. AST was observed to exhibit anti‑allergic and anti‑inflammatory effects in a dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)‑induced contact dermatitis (CD) mouse model and RBL‑2H3 cell lines. The topical application of AST effectively inhibited the enlargement of ear thickness and increase in weight, which occurred following repeated application of DNFB. Furthermore, topical application of different concentrations of AST inhibited inflammatory hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis, and the infiltration of mononuclear cells and mast cells in the ear tissue. In addition, the levels of TNF‑α and IFN‑γ produced were decreased by application of AST in vivo, and treatment of RBL‑2H3 cells with AST inhibited the release of histamine and β‑hexosaminidase in vitro. Taken together, these data suggested that AST may be used to treat patients with allergic skin diseases through a mechanism, which may be associated with that involved in anti‑inflammatory or anti-allergic activities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626‑870, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyungwoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungdong University, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do 219‑832, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Oriental Medicine, Woosuk University, Jeonju 565‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Guem San
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626‑870, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su In
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Biomaterials and Aquaculture, Pukyong National University, Busan 608‑737, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Myoung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Aquaculture Industry Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Gangneung, Gangwon‑do 210‑861, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Visual Optics, Kyungdong University, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do 219‑832, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Kwan
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Center, Ulsan University Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 682‑714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626‑870, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won Gun
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D024341:Xanthophylls; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C005948:astaxanthine; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene