본 실험에서는 피부질환을 위한 새로 구성된 HC001의 처방이 외용제로서 아토피성 피부질환에서의 항염증 효능을 확인하였다. H&E염색을 통한 조직학적 검사에서 DNCB로 유도된 진피 및 표피의 과각화증이 HC001 국소도포로 인해 호전되는 것을 관찰되었으며, 염증과정에서 중요한 지표인 NF-${kappa}B$의 활성이 억제됨을 확인하였다. 이를 통해 HC001이 아토피성 피부질환의 외용제 사용에 있어 일정한 효과를 나타낼 수 있을 것으로 기대 된다.
Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of external application of HC001 on atopic dermatitis. HC001, newly composed herbal medicine combinations contains 9 medicinal herbs which are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of HC001 on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice. Methods : Seven-week-old BALB/c mice were sensitized with DNCB to develop atopic dermatitis. Animals were divide into three group: Normal, DNCB (Negative control group), HC001 (Experimental group, treated with DNCB and HC001). Skin sections were stained with H&E to measure the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis, respectively. The expression of NF-${kappa}B$ protein was measured by western blotting analysis in skin lesion. Results : Topical HC001 treatment significantly restored the skin thickening and hyperplasia of the epidermis and dermis compared with DNCB-sensitized group in histopathological analyse. In addition, HC001 inhibited the expression of NF-${kappa}B$ protein increased in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HC001 may be useful as an external application agent for atopic dermatitis based on reductions of various inflammatory responses.
