Combination of apigenin extract in dried parsley and quercetin in onions as a therapeutic modality for atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition that accounts for over one fifth of global dermatological cases, affecting children significantly more than adults. The disease is fundamentally driven by genetic mutations in the filaggrin protein and immune system disruptions that weaken the skin barrier, ultimately manifesting as severe, continuous pruritus. While standard medical management relies on topical corticosteroids to rapidly reduce this inflammation, these anti-inflammatory drugs frequently induce adverse effects ranging from localized skin atrophy to systemic suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Consequently, researchers are investigating botanical flavonoids as safer therapeutic alternatives; for example, apigenin found abundantly in dried parsley increases protective filaggrin expression to 204% ± 7.52% (compared to 100% ± 9.22% in baseline controls), and quercetin derived from onions significantly suppresses allergic markers in murine models by reducing Immunoglobulin E by 50.6% and decreasing Interleukins 4, 5, and 13 by 72.9%, 67.5%, and 34.8%, respectively. Understanding these dosages and effects helps translate preclinical findings into potential clinical applications, which is essential for evaluating their therapeutic relevance.