Astilbin inhibits contact hypersensitivity through negative cytokine regulation distinct from cyclosporin A

IL-10 is known as a negative regulator for inflammatory diseases, including contact dermatitis. However, only a few drug candidates are reported to induce endogenous IL-10. We sought to elucidate a new mechanism underlying the immunosuppressive properties of astilbin through negative cytokine regulation in comparison with the effective pattern with cyclosporin A. Contact hypersensitivity was induced in mice with picryl chloride. Lymph node cells were isolated for adoptive transfer and cytokine assays. Astilbin significantly inhibited contact hypersensitivity when given in the elicitation phase but not in the sensitization phase, whereas cyclosporin A inhibited both phases. Lymph node cells from donor mice administered astilbin failed to adoptively transfer the hypersensitivity. Astilbin in vivo remarkably induced IL-10 expression in lymph node cells at an earlier time and decreased TNF-α and IFN-γ expression at a later time. Furthermore, the in vivo neutralization of IL-10 significantly impaired the effect of astilbin on contact hypersensitivity. In the isolated lymphocytes sensitized with picryl chloride in vivo and challenged with trinitrobenzene–sulfonic acid in vitro, astilbin did not affect the cell proliferation but modulated the above cytokine profiles as its in vivo effect in a concentration-dependent manner and furthermore significantly enhanced the expressions of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and 3. On the other hand, cyclosporin A strongly inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production but influenced neither IL-10 nor downstream suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and 3 expression. Astilbin alleviates contact hypersensitivity through a unique mechanism involving a negative cytokine regulation through stimulating IL-10, which is distinct from the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A.