Mentha arvensis Essential Oil Exerts Anti-Inflammatory in LPS-Stimulated Inflammatory Responses via Inhibition of ERK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Anti-Atopic Dermatitis-like Effects in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobezene-Induced BALB/c Mice

Abstract

The mechanism of atopic dermatitis (AD) is modulated by the release of cytokines and chemokines through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Topical steroids are used to treat AD, but some people need safer anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid side effects. Mentha arvensis has been used as a herbal plant with medicinal properties, but its anti-inflammatory effects have not been elucidated in an AD model. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of M. arvensis essential oil (MAEO) and its underlying molecular mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and HaCaT cells (human epidermal keratinocyte). Additionally, we examined the ameliorating effects of the MAEO in a dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced murine model of AD. We found, in both RAW 264.7 cells and HaCaT cells, MAEO inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 and proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-6, due to the suppression of COX-2 and iNOS expression. In LPS-stimulated macrophages, we also observed that MAEO inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and P65. Furthermore, MAEO treatment attenuated AD symptoms, including the dermatitis score, ear thickness, epidermal thickness and infiltration of mast cells, in a DNCB-induced animal model of AD. Overall, our findings suggest that MAEO exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic dermatitis effects via inhibition of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Fermented Mentha arvensis administration provides neuroprotection against transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils and SH-SY5Y cells via downregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway

“…In previous studies, H 2 O 2 was shown to activate the MAPK cascade in SH-SY5Y cells [ 46 ] and FMA extract and its active chemical substances downregulated MAPK protein expression levels [ 19 ]. In the present study, pretreatment with FMA significantly reduced increased phosphorylated ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK levels in the hippocampus and SH-SY5Y cells, which supports the results of previous studies [ 19 , 47 ]. Taken together, FMA pretreatment could reduce TI and H 2 O 2 -induced neurotoxic effects in gerbil hippocampus and SH-SY5Y cells respectively by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway.…”

Oxidative Damage in Korean Medicine

“…S-Y Kim et al demonstrated the effects of Mentha arvensis essential oil on lipopolysacch aride-induced inflammatory stimulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages and HaCaT keratinocytes [14]. This research team confirmed the possibility of applying these findings to an AD model.…”

Inhibitory effects of isoliquiritin on an atopic dermatitis model through the CD177/JAK2/STAT pathway in vitro and in vivo

“…Early studies indicated that HDM (45), DNCB (46), ovalbumin (47), and calcipotriol (48) cause exacerbation of AD. DNCB is often used to induce AD in mouse models of AD, as the results are highly reproducible and repeatable (49)(50)(51).…”