Chu Thomas W, Ho Ching-Chih, Chiu Hsin-Pei, Hsu Yu-Jou, Hung Chen-Ting, Sung Chao-Hsien, Chang Der-Chen, Chang Hsun-Hao, Hung Chi-Feng
Department of Dermatology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 22060 Taiwan; Pariser Dermatology Specialists, Newport News, Virginia 23606, USA.
Department of Anesthesiology, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Longtan, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan.
Int Immunopharmacol. 2025 Feb 20;148:114082. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114082. Epub 2025 Jan 15.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by itching and redness, affecting individuals of all ages and significantly impairing their quality of life. The prevalence of AD is rising, posing serious health concern. Relief of itching is a primary treatment objective; however, steroid treatments can lead to adverse effects, including skin barrier thinning. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safer therapeutic alternatives. Limonene, a naturally occurring monocyclic monoterpene found in citrus peel oil, is widely utilized in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Research has identified various biological activities of limonene, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antifibrotic properties. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of limonene on atopic dermatitis, focusing on its anti-inflammatory potential.
In this study, we investigated the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, conducting histopathological analyses, and collecting physiological data from BALB/c mice with atopic-like dermatitis induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and TNF-α/ IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells.
In vitro studies indicated that limonene inhibited cytokine and chemokine expression in human keratinocytes and reduced phosphorylation in the MAPK, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. In vivo, limonene mitigated DNCB-induced skin barrier damage and itching, improving physiological parameters such as trans-epidermal water loss, erythema, and ear thickness. Furthermore, it decreased the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Limonene exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential for treating atopic dermatitis.
特应性皮炎（AD）是一种以瘙痒和发红为特征的慢性炎症性皮肤病，影响所有年龄段的人群，并严重损害他们的生活质量。AD的患病率正在上升，引发了严重的健康问题。缓解瘙痒是主要的治疗目标；然而，类固醇治疗可能会导致不良反应，包括皮肤屏障变薄。因此，迫切需要更安全的治疗替代方案。柠檬烯是一种存在于柑橘皮油中的天然单环单萜，广泛应用于食品、化妆品和制药行业。研究已经确定了柠檬烯的多种生物活性，包括抗氧化、抗炎、免疫调节和抗纤维化特性。本研究旨在探讨柠檬烯对特应性皮炎的治疗效果，重点关注其抗炎潜力。
在本研究中，我们调查了促炎细胞因子和趋化因子的表达水平，进行了组织病理学分析，并收集了由2,4-二硝基氯苯（DNCB）诱导的特应样皮炎BALB/c小鼠以及TNF-α/IFN-γ刺激的HaCaT细胞的生理数据。
体外研究表明，柠檬烯抑制人角质形成细胞中细胞因子和趋化因子的表达，并降低MAPK、NF-κB和JAK/STAT信号通路中的磷酸化水平。在体内，柠檬烯减轻了DNCB诱导的皮肤屏障损伤和瘙痒，改善了经表皮水分流失、红斑和耳厚度等生理参数。此外，它还降低了促炎细胞因子的mRNA表达。
柠檬烯具有显著的抗炎作用，突出了其治疗特应性皮炎的潜力。
