Effect of Cone of Pinus densiflora on DNCB-Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesion in Balb/c Mice

Cone of Pinus densiflora (CP), or Korean red pinecone, is a cluster of Pinus densiflora fruit. CP has also been verified in several studies to have anti-oxidation, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-melanogenic effects. However, anti-inflammatory effects have not yet been confirmed in the inflammatory responses of pinecones to allergic contact dermatitis. The purpose of this study is to prove the anti-inflammatory effect of CP on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in vitro and in vivo. CP inhibited the expression of TSLP, TARC, MCP-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-stimulated HaCaT cells and MCP-1, GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate plus A23187)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. CP inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs), as well as the translocation of NF-kappa B on TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma stimulated in HaCaT cells. In vivo, CP decreased major symptoms of ACD, levels of IL-6 in skin lesion, thickening of the epidermis and dermis, infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells, and the infiltration of CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells. This result suggests that CP represents a potential alternative medicine to ACD for diseases such as chronic skin inflammation.

Automated summary

Cone of Pinus densiflora (CP) has various effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-melanogenic. Studies have shown that CP has anti-inflammatory effects on allergic contact dermatitis both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential as an alternative medicine for chronic skin inflammation.