Effects of Evening Primrose Oil and Evening Primrose–rosemary Mixed Oil on Atopic Dermatitis-induced Animal Model

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the possibility of using evening primrose oil (E oil) and evening primrose-rosemary mixed oil (ER oil) as alternative substances for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: NC/Nga mice were divided into the control, AD-induced, E oil-treated, and ER oil-treated groups. Each group was treated for 6 days. Thereafter, the effects of anti-oxidation and lipid peroxidation activity (LPA) were analyzed. In addition, tissue biopsy samples were observed under a microscope, immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured, and the effects of mast cell degranulation were assessed. Results: Compared with the control group, the E oil-and ER oil-treated groups showed increased electron donating activity (EDA) and LPA. The epidermal thicknesses were less in the E oil-and ER oil-treated groups than in the AD-induced group and recovered to a degree similar to that of the control group. Quantitative measurements showed decreased IgE levels in the E oiland ER oil-treated groups compared with those in the AD-induced group. Mast cell degranulation was reduced in the E oil-and ER oil-treated groups compared with that in the AD-induced group. Conclusion: The study results showed that herb oils such as E oil and ER oil can potentially be used for treating dermatitis and that oils with two or more herb oils improved the results.