Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that manifests as itching and skin dryness. The condition is induced by complex conditions and mechanisms, involving the increased production of helper T cell 2 lymphocytes (Th2), basophil, and immunoglobulin E; the pro-inflammatory cytokines are closely related. Chondrus canaliculatus is a red algae that lives mainly in the intertidal regions, but the C. canaliculatus ethanol extract (CCEE) has never been reported for atopic studies. Therefore, this study examined the anti-atopic dermatitis effects of CCEE in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced mouse models. The prevention effect of CCEE on atopic dermatitis was tested by measuring the clinical severity score of the skin, cytokine secretion, and splenocyte-proliferation ability. As a result, the AD symptoms in the CCEE treatment group were suppressed more than in the positive control. Moreover, the application of CCEE reduced the degree of skin lesions and the pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4, interferon-γ) level. These results suggest that CCEE may be effective in preventing atopic dermatitis and may have therapeutic potential as an atopic dermatitis agent and cosmeceutical.

Keywords: Chondrus canaliculatus, atopic dermatitis, anti-atopy, IFN-γ, IL-4