Honokiol suppresses 2,6-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Magnolia officinalis constitutes a traditional Korean medicine used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, and honokiol is an active diphenyl compound present in Magnolia officinalis. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of honokiol on atopic dermatitis in vivo.Materials and methods: The therapeutic effects of honokiol were evaluated in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis model.Results: Administration of honokiol (10 mg/kg) significantly suppressed mast cell accumulation and inflamma-tion induced by DNCB in skin tissues. Moreover, DNCB-induced increases in serum immunoglobulin E levels were reversed by honokiol treatment. In addition, DNCB-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, IL-17, and interferon-gamma) in the skin and lymph nodes was significantly ameliorated by honokiol administration. Furthermore, the increase in lymph nodes sizes induced by DNCB treatment was reduced by honokiol administration.Conclusion: DNCB-induced atopic responses in the ears and lymph nodes were significantly suppressed by hon-okiol treatment. These results suggested that honokiol is a potential therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the therapeutic effects of honokiol on atopic dermatitis, and found that honokiol significantly suppressed symptoms of atopic dermatitis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for the disease.