Effect of Apremilast in the treatment and prevention of allergic contact dermatitis in a DPCP-induced rat model

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of apremilast in diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP)-induced allergic contact dermatitis model in rats.Methods: A total of 40 adult male rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 8). Group 1 was the negative control; group 2 was induced with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) 2 %; groups 3, 4, and 5 were induced with DPCP and treated with apremilast (20 mg/kg), pre-treated with apremilast (20 mg/kg), and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), respectively. Systemic cytokine levels were quantified after sensitization and challenge phase with DPCP using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and histoarchitecture of the skin was examined using hematoxylin – eosin (H & E) staining.Results: Induction with DPCP was associated with significant elevation in TNF-α and IL-1β levels compared to negative control (p < 0.01). Apremilast administration, both as treatment and prophylaxis, significantly reduced IL-1β (p < 0.01) and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dexamethasone significantly reduced IL-1β levels only slightly (p < 0.05) with no significant effect on TNF-α (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Apremilast administration significantly reduced levels of inflammatory markers compared to dexamethasone.