Anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Dendropanax morbifera</i> in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and in an animal model of atopic dermatitis

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><I>Dendropanax morbifera</I> (<I>D. morbifera</I>), known as Dendro, means ‘omnipotent drug’ (Panax), and has been called the panacea tree. Various studies on <I>D. morbifera</I> are currently ongoing, aiming to determine its medicinal uses. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanism of a natural extract of <I>D. morbifera</I> leaves (DPL) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. In the present study, the following assays and models were used: MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blotting, ELISA and mouse models of atopic dermatitis. DPL extract markedly reduced the production of NO, inducible NO synthase and interleukin-6, as well as the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Additionally, the LPS-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), P38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was suppressed by DPL extract. Taken together, these results indicate that NF-κB, ERK1/2, P38 and JNK may be potential molecular targets of DPL extract in the LPS-induced inflammatory response. Subsequently, the present study investigated the effects of DPL extract in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model. Ear thickness, serum immunoglobulin E levels and histological analysis revealed that the DPL extract was effective in attenuating the inflammatory response. These results indicate that DPL extract has anti-inflammatory potential and may be developed as a botanical drug to treat atopic dermatitis.</P>