Chamaecyparis obtusa has been traditionally used as an
antibiotic agent and in
cosmetics for the prevention of microorganism
infection and skin troubles.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory
skin disease that encompasses immunologic responses, susceptibility factors and compromised skin-barrier function. Use of plant medicines in therapeutic treatment of AD has recently been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option. The present study examined the effect of
elemol, an active component of Chamaecyparis obtusa, on AD using in vivo and in vitro models. RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with
concanavalin A and dinitrophenyl
human serum albumin, and
atopic dermatitis was induced in BALB/c mice by topical application of
2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (
DNCB) prior to
elemol treatment. The
mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the levels of β-
hexosaminidase and serum
immunoglobulin E (
IgE) were examined by ELISA. Histological changes were also performed by microscopy.
Elemol attenuated the onset of AD-like skin lesions, reduced serum
IgE levels and decreased mast cell infiltration into the dermis and hypodermis. In addition,
elemol downregulated the transcriptional expression of several pro-inflammatory
cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β,
IL-6 and IκBα, in the skin of the
DNCB-induced animal models of AD. In the RBL-2H3 mast cell line,
elemol significantly inhibited the
mRNA expression of
IL-4 and
IL-13, and further attenuated the release of β-
hexosaminidase from mast cells. Histological examination revealed that
elemol significantly ameliorated the
DNCB-induced dermal destruction in mice. The results of the present study suggested that
elemol may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD due to its immunosuppressive effects.