ATOJIN: A Natural Products Mixture, Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis in DNCB-Induced NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder with increasing global prevalence. ATOJIN is a natural product composed of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht (PAR), Schizonepeta tenuifolia (ST), Sophora flavescens (SF), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), and Liriope platyphylla (LP), all known for their anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ATOJIN in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model by assessing its effects on inflammation and immune regulation. The therapeutic efficacy of ATOJIN was evaluated through the analysis of white blood cell subtypes, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and histological assessments of inflammatory and mast cell infiltration, focusing on systemic immune modulation. ATOJIN effectively alleviated AD lesions and symptoms in DNCB-induced mice, demonstrating significant improvements in dermatitis scores, ear thickness, and spleen weight. It also reduced epidermal thickness and the infiltration of inflammatory and mast cells. Furthermore, ATOJIN modulated serum levels of IgE and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, indicating systemic anti-inflammatory effects. These results suggest that ATOJIN mitigates AD symptoms by modulating inflammatory responses, and its efficacy, comparable to or even superior to that of the topical standard-of-care tacrolimus, highlights its potential as a promising standalone oral therapeutic agent for the systemic management of AD.