Cordycepin ameliorates skin inflammation in a DNFB-challenged murine model of atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic and inflammatory skin disorder caused by a combination of itching and skin sensitization by allergens. This article investigated whether cordycepin modulates AD symptoms by using an AD murine model.

Material and methods: We evaluated a regulatory effect and specific molecular mechanism of cordycepin on AD induced by the repeated local exposure of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to dorsal skin of mice. Blood or AD-like skin lesions samples were removed for histopathologic analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses.

Results: Oral administration of cordycepin decreased duration of scratching behavior and serum levels of histamine and immunoglobulin E increased by DNFB challenge. Cordycepin attenuated clinical symptoms and epidermis thickness of AD mice. In addition, cordycepin reduced thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the serum of AD mice. Cordycepin-attenuated infiltrations of mast cells and eosinophils with decreases in TSLP, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 protein levels in AD-like skin lesions. Messenger RNA expressions of TSLP, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17, and C–C chemokine receptor type 3 in AD-like skin lesions were also suppressed by cordycepin. Cordycepin inhibited caspase-1 expressions and activities in AD-like skin lesions.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that cordycepin ameliorates AD symptoms, suggesting that cordycepin might be a candidate to treat allergic skin diseases.

Keywords:

• Cordycepin
• atopic dermatitis
• thymic stromal lymphopoietin
• chemokine
• caspase-1

Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. K.J. Ryu for technical assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (IPET) through High Value-Added Food Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) [116169–3].