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Inhibition of contact dermatitis in animal models and suppression of proinflammatory gene expression by topically applied Flavonoid, Wogonin

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Abstract

Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) is a down-regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, contributing to anti-inflammatory activityin vivo. For further characterization of modulatory activity on proinflammatory gene expressionin vivo, the effect of wogonin was examined in this experiment using animal models of skin inflammation. By topical application, wogonin inhibited an edematic response as well as proinflammatory gene expression against contact dermatitis in mice. Wogonin inhibited ear edema (19.4-22.6%) at doses of 50–200 μg/ear and down-regulated interleukin-1β induction (23.1%) at 200 μg/ear in phenol-induced simple irritation. Wogonin (2×50-2×200 μg/ear) also inhibited edematic response (51.2-43.9%) and down-regulated proinflammatory gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1 β, interferon-γ, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase with some different sensitivity against picryl chloride-induced delayed hypersensitivity reaction. All these results clearly demonstrate that wogonin is a down-regulator of proinflammatory gene expression in animal models of skin inflammation. Therefore, wogonin may have potential for a new anti-inflammatory agent against skin inflammation.

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Correspondence to Hyun Pyo Kim.

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Lim, H., Park, H. & Kim, H.P. Inhibition of contact dermatitis in animal models and suppression of proinflammatory gene expression by topically applied Flavonoid, Wogonin. Arch Pharm Res 27, 442–448 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02980087

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