Objective:

2

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of

Sanguisorbae Radix

on contact dermatitis (CD).

Methods:

2

Mice were sensitized by painting 30 μL of 1-fluoro-2

4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) onto each ear for 3 days. Four days later

mice were challenged by painting with 50 μL of DNFB onto the shaved dorsum every 2 days.

Sanguisorbae Radix

methanol extract (MESR) was applied onto the shaved dorsum every 2 days. The effects of MESR on skin thickness

skin weights

histopathological changes

skin lesions and cytokine production in DNFB-induced CD mice were investigated

as well as its effects on body weights and spleen/body weight ratio.

Results:

2

Topical application of MESR effectively inhibited enlargement of skin thickness and weight (

P

<

0.05). MESR treatment also inhibited hyperplasia

spongiosis and immune cell infiltration induced by DNFB in inflamed tissues and improved lesions on dorsum skin in CD mice. Moreover

treatment with MESR suppressed the increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α

P

<

0.01) and interferon γ (IFN-γ

P

<

0.05)

respectively. Finally

MESR had no effect on body weight gain or spleen/body weight ratio.

Conclusion:

2

These data suggest that MESR acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that decreases the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ

resulting in reductions of skin lesions and histopathological changes in inflamed skin tissues.