Inhibitory effect of a-cubebenoate on atopic dermatitis-like symptoms by regulating Th2/Th1/Th17 balance in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Bakumijiogan (Kampo herbal formulation) and Kangqian decoction (Chinese herbal medicine formulation) have been used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) like symptoms. Schisandra chinensis Baill (Family: Magnoliaceae) is a component of both formulations. Its extracts showed inhibition of AD.& nbsp;Aim of the study: We aimed to elucidate an active phytochemical from Schisandra chinensis and evaluated its effects on AD-like symptoms.& nbsp;Materials and methods: We fractionated a component from Schisandra chinensis by chasing inhibitory activity on mast cell degranulation. We identified alpha-cubebenoate as an active phytochemical and investigated its effects by using an in vivo 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB)-induced AD model in BALB/c mice.& nbsp;Results: alpha-Cubebenoate significantly decreased CDNB-induced skin hypertrophy and accumulation of mast cells in the epidermis and dermis. Increases in pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine levels in the skin, lymph node size, and immunoglobulin E levels in the serum were significantly ameliorated by alpha-cubebenoate.& nbsp;Conclusion: alpha-Cubebenoate regulates dermal immune responses by suppressing the Th2/Th17/Th1 immune balances, resulting in amelioration of AD-like symptoms and suppression of immune response in lymph nodes. Thereby, this study provides evidence for its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of AD symptoms.