Naturally occurring saponins have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the effects of gracillin, a main saponin component of Dioscorea quinqueloba (D. quinqueloba), on atopic dermatitis (AD), have not been previously studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether gracillin isolated from D. quinqueloba has an anti-AD effect on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in SKH-1 hairless mice. Topical co-treatment of gracillin and DNCB for two weeks markedly reduced symptoms typical of AD (redness, itching, swelling and skin lichenification), decreased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased skin hydration. In addition, gracillin strongly inhibited PI-induced IL-4 expression in RBL-2H3 cells and in the skins of AD mice. Our results suggest gracillin is a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of AD and other inflammatory skin disorders.
Keywords: 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene; Dioscorea quinqueloba; atopic dermatitis; gracillin; interleukin 4; skin barrier recovery.