Effect of nodakenin on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions.

Nodakenin, derived from the roots of Angelica gigas Nakai, is an important natural resource and medicinal material with anti-allergic and anti- inflammatory activities. We have previously shown that nodakenin inhibits IgE/Ag-induced degranulation in mast cells. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of nodakenin on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD)- like skin lesions in ICR mice. Scratching behavior, skin severity score, blood IgE level, and skin thickness were improved in DNCB-induced AD-like ICR mice. Our results showed that nodakenin suppressed the increase of AD-like skin lesions in ICR mice. These results suggest that nodakenin may be a potential therapeutic resource for AD as well as an adjunctive agent to control itching associated with AD.