Crocin Ameliorated Atopic Dermatitis Induced in Mice by Inhibiting E-Cadherin/AKT Pathway

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration in skin.Objectives: To evaluate protective effects of crocin in AD on E-cadherin/AKT pathway.Methods: AD was induced by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on ears and shaved dorsal skin of mice.After development of AD, part of mice were treated with 20mg/kg crocin.Part of skin was isolated for assessment of E-cadherin, AKT, MMP9 and syndecan-1.Results: Investigation of histological sections revealed that crocin ameliorated AD-induced skin tissue damage and reduced acanthosis of epidermis and infiltration with mast cells.Crocin attenuated AD-induced deactivation of E-cadherin and reduced gene and protein expression of AKT, MMP9 and syndecan-1.Conclusions: Crocin alleviated AD induced in mice activation of E-cadherin leading to inhibition of inflammatory cell migration.