Effect of oral administration of nutmeg extract on American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

The effects of oral administration of nutmeg extract (NE) on atopic dermatitis (AD) were evaluated using NC/Nga mice treated with American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract. In this mouse model of AD, NE suppressed transepidermal water loss, erythema, and the production of serum immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4, and interferon-γ by auxillary lymph node cells. In addition, NE reduced epidermal thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration into the skin. In skin lesions, NE suppressed IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA expression. In the spleen, NE upregulated T-box transcription factor expressed in T cells and downregulated GATA-binding protein 3, which are involved in T helper cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that NE ameliorates AD and may be a potential nutraceutical candidate for treating AD.