Exploring the Metabolic Effects of a Herbal Remedy of Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum cassia Extracts: Unraveling Its Therapeutic Potential as a Topical Application for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment

Abstract

Our previous study demonstrated that our novel herbal remedy, a mixture of Asarum sieboldii, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Cinnamomum Cassia extracts, exhibits a therapeutic effect in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced mice by inhibiting the Th-2 inflammatory response upon oral administration. It also ameliorated imbalances in lipid metabolism related to the skin barrier function in keratinocytes, indicating its potential as a topical agent. This study aims to further investigate the therapeutic effects and metabolic mechanisms of its topical application. The anti-atopic effect was evaluated using dermatitis scores, histopathological analysis, and immune cell factors in DNCB-induced mice. Metabolomic profiling of serum and lesional skin was conducted to elucidate the metabolic mechanisms. The topical application significantly reduced dermatitis scores, mast cell infiltration, and serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), demonstrating its effectiveness in treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Serum metabolomics revealed alterations in fatty acid metabolism related to the pro-inflammatory response. In lesional skin, metabolic markers associated with oxidative stress, immune regulation, and AD symptoms were restored. This study demonstrated its potential as a topical agent in suppressing Th-2 inflammatory responses and improving metabolic abnormalities related to AD symptoms, providing crucial insights for developing natural AD treatments.