Sophoricoside isolated from Sophora japonica ameliorates contact dermatitis by inhibiting NF-κB signaling in B cells

Abstract

Sophoricoside (SOPH) is an isoflavone isolated from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae). In this study, the inhibitory effect of SOPH on contact dermatitis was investigated. At dosages of 3 and 10 mg/kg, SOPH ameliorated 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced acute and chronic contact dermatitis by 50-70%. As cellular targets, SOPH mainly affected the functions of B cells rather than T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. As signaling targets, SOPH inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα/β and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in B cells, but not in dendritic cells and macrophages. SOPH did not affect the phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and JNK MAPKs, in B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that SOPH ameliorates contact dermatitis by inhibiting mainly NF-κB signaling in B cells.