# Brianolide from Briareum stechei Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions by Regulating the NFκB and MAPK Pathways

## TL;DR

A compound from a soft coral reduces symptoms of atopic dermatitis by targeting key inflammatory pathways in both cells and animal models.

## Contribution

Brianolide from Briareum stechei is shown to regulate NFκB and MAPK pathways to alleviate AD inflammation.

## Key findings

- Brianolide inhibited cytokine and chemokine expression in HaCaT cells via MAPK and NFκB pathways.
- In vivo, brianolide reduced TEWL, ear thickness, erythema, and epidermal blood flow in a DNCB-induced AD model.
- The study highlights the pharmacological potential of natural coral products for treating atopic dermatitis.

## Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic skin disease affecting both children and adults. Currently lacking a clinical cure, AD presents significant physical and emotional challenges for patients and their families, substantially impacting their quality of life. This underscores significant unmet needs in AD management and highlights the necessity for developing effective therapeutic applications. Recently, several chlorine-containing active substances with promising pharmacological activity have been discovered in soft corals cultivated through coral farming. Among these, brianolide, isolated from the soft coral Briareum stechei, has shown promising potential. This study investigated brianolide’s regulatory effects on the inflammatory response in atopic dermatitis and its underlying mechanisms. Using an in vitro human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to mimic AD inflammation, brianolide was found to inhibit cytokine and chemokine expression via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NFκB)-signaling pathways. In an in vivo animal model of 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD, brianolide demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), ear thickness, erythema, and epidermal blood flow. These findings provide new insights into brianolide’s activity against AD-related inflammation, elucidate potential mechanisms, and contribute to understanding the pharmacological potential of natural coral products for AD treatment.