Topical Application of Two Condensed Tannins from the Root of Rosa multiflora Thunberg for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) in NC/Nga Mice

Recently, the isolation of several condensed tannins from the roots of Rosa multiflora Thunberg, a traditional herbal therapy in oriental medicine for rheumatoid arthritis and scabies, was described. Two of the major condensed tannins – procyanidin B‐3 (ProB3) and ent ‐guibourtinidol‐(4 β → 6)‐catechin (RM‐1) – were then applied topically to atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions on NC/Nga mice in order to assess their immunomodulatory properties. Both ProB3 and RM‐1 significantly reduced the serum levels of eosinophils, IgE and certain Th2 cytokines (IL‐4, 5 and 13) ( p < 0.05 or 0.01). Additionally, ProB3 and RM‐1 significantly reduced both the mRNA and protein expression of COX‐2 and iNOS in mouse skin tissues ( p < 0.01). Such results strongly suggest that ProB3 and RM‐1 may be useful in the treatment allergic skin conditions, most notably atopic dermatitis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.