This study investigated the effects of Myagropsis myagroides ethanol extract (MMEE) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. The effects of MMEE on DNCB-induced BALB/c mice were evaluated by examining skin symptom severity, levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 in serum, and levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in splenocytes. MMEE significantly reduced the total clinical severity score, total IgE levels, as well as TNF-α and IL-4 production in an AD mouse model but increased IL-10 production. Production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in splenocytes was reduced by MMEE, whereas IFN-γ production increased. These results suggest that MMEE can inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice by modulating the immune response and may be an effective potential therapeutic agent for AD.

Keywords: Myagropsis myagroides, atopic dermatitis, IgE, cytokine, DNCB