naphthoquinones and Dermatitis--Atopic

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which skin barrier dysfunction leads to dryness, pruritus, and erythematous lesions. AD is triggered by immune imbalance and oxidative stress. Echinochrome A (Ech A), a natural pigment isolated from sea urchins, exerts antioxidant and beneficial effects in various inflammatory disease models. In the present study, we tested whether Ech A treatment alleviated AD-like skin lesions. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of Ech A on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like lesions in an NC/Nga mouse model. AD-like skin symptoms were induced by treatment with 1% DNCB for 1 week and 0.4% DNCB for 5 weeks in NC/Nga mice. The results showed that Ech A alleviated AD clinical symptoms, such as edema, erythema, and dryness. Treatment with Ech A induced the recovery of epidermis skin lesions as observed histologically. Tewameter

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Aquatic Organisms; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Interleukin-3; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Naphthoquinones; Sea Urchins; Skin; Water Loss, Insensible

Temporary henna tattoos have become increasingly popular as a safe alternative to permanent tattoos among American and European children and teenagers during the summer holidays. Currently, temporary henna tattoos contain not only henna, but also other additives such as para-phemylenediamine (PPD), which is considered to be the chemical agent that most frequently causes skin reactions associated with the use of commercial black henna. In this report, we describe an 11-year-old boy who applied a temporary black henna tattoo on his right arm during the summer holidays in Greece and developed a severe contact dermatitis at the tattoo site with residual hypopigmentation. He had no previous history of contact dermatitis, however he did suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Patch testing revealed a strong reaction to PPD, a substance commonly contained in temporary henna tattoo preparations.. Henna tattoos are an increasing problem worldwide since they carry an increased risk of severe skin reactions; therefore we suggest that the use of temporary henna tattoos in children be discouraged.

Topics: Child; Coloring Agents; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Atopic; Humans; Male; Naphthoquinones; Tattooing

We examined the effects of a 35% ethanol extract (IB) from the petals of Impatiens balsamina L. and the principal active compounds from IB on chronic and serious pruritus and the development of dermatitis using NC mice, a model of atopic dermatitis. IB at 100 mg/kg significantly inhibited serious scratching behaviour in the NC mouse with established dermatitis when administered i.v. 1 h before, or p.o. 24 h before the measurement. A 10 microg/kg dose of kaempferol 3-rutinoside and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone) isolated from IB also inhibited scratching behaviour in the NC mouse with established dermatitis. When 4-week-old NC mice with no symptoms were administered orally 100 mg/kg/day of IB until 13 weeks of age, protection was also noted against scratching behaviour during the development of dermatitis. IB was effective for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Topics: Animals; Antipruritics; Behavior, Animal; China; Dermatitis, Atopic; Disease Models, Animal; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Glucosides; Impatiens; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Naphthoquinones; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Structures; Plants, Medicinal; Pruritus; Quercetin