Exploring the Mechanism of Qinzhuliangxue Mixture for Treating Skin Lesions in Atopic Dermatitis: Insights from Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disorder that causes systemic skin lesions. The hospital preparation-Qinzhuliangxue mixture (QZLX) has shown potential in alleviating skin lesions in AD patients; however, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored.

METHODS

QZLX's key compounds and their targets in AD skin lesions were screened by network pharmacology, and gene enrichment analysis was performed. Mouse model of AD induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was established. Then animals were divided into control (Con), model (Model), dexamethasone (DSMS), and QZLX group. The DSMS group and QZLX group was orally administrated DSMS (10 mg/kg/day) and QZLX (18.27 g/kg/day) for 14 days respectively, after the DNFB was first injected intradermally into the abdomen of mice. Phenotypic changes in mice after treatment were evaluated by skin SCORAD score, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, ELISA assays, and Western Blot (WB).

RESULTS

According to the findings of enrichment analysis based on GO and KEGG, QZLX may exert its effects at the top position via the JAK-STAT pathway. Subsequently the experimental validation showed that the skin score and HE staining of the QZLX group was significantly improved compared to the Model group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of serum IgE, TSLP, and IL-4 in the QZLX group were notably lower than those in the Model group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of P-JAK2 and P-STAT3 detected by WB in the skin of the QZLX group was obviously higher than that in the Model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

QZLX demonstrated a significant ability to mitigate AD-like skin lesions and effectively reduced serum levels of IgE, TSLP, and IL-4 in AD mice. The underlying mechanism of action may involve modulation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.