Wikstroemia indica (L.) C.A. Mey. is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and bronchitis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of an ethanolic extract of W. indica on cutaneous inflammation in mice with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). Dermal administration of W. indica ethanolic extract to DNCB-sensitized hairless mice with dermatitis, for two weeks, reduced erythema, scaling, and edema. Skin hydration was improved and transepidermal water loss was reduced at a W. indica concentration of 1%. Furthermore, W. indica also significantly reduced serum IgE and IL-4 concentrations in our mouse model. These results suggest that W. indica has potential as a topical treatment for AD and as an adjunctive agent to control AD.
Keywords: 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene; Wikstroemia indica; atopic dermatitis; interleukin; transepidermal water loss.