Effect of chunghyuldan in chronic oxazolone-induced mouse dermatitis

To evaluate the antipsoriatic effect of Chunghyuldan (CHD, Daio-Orengedokuto in Japanese), which exhibited anti-inflammatory and antiischemic actions, the inhibitory activity of CHD metabolized with and without human intestinal microflora was investigated in oxazolone-induced mouse ear dermatitis. The CHD and metabolized CHD (MCHD) at concentrations of 0.1% also potently suppressed mouse ear swelling by 52.7% and 63.2% at 16 d, respectively. The antipsoriatic effect between CHD and MCHD was not significantly different, although that of CHD weakly increased by the metabolism of human intestinal microflora. Both CHD and MCHD also potently reduced the mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-4 increased in oxazolone-applied mouse ears, but weakly inhibited that of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Based on these findings, CHD may improve contact dermatitis or psoriasis by the regulation of COX-2 produced by macrophage cells and IFN-gamma and IL-4 produced by Th cells.