###### Abstract  
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that can be associated with psychiatric disorders. _Picrasma quasisoides_ (D.Don) Benn (Gomokpi, GMP), a traditional medicinal herb, has been used to treat skin diseases, including AD. The current study examined the effects of an ethanolic extract of GMP on 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mice. The severity of skin symptoms and behavioral changes in AD mice were evaluated. GMP alleviated the AD-like skin inflammation and hyperlocomotion activity in DNCB-treated BALB/c mice. The effects of GMP behavioral abnormalities might occur by inhibiting TNF-\(\alpha\) production in the PFC. GMP suppressed the production of TARC (Th2 chemokine) in TI-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. Moreover, GMP also exerted immunosuppressive effects by reducing TNF-\(\alpha\) production in LPS-stimulated Raw264.7 macrophages, IL-17 expression in PI-stimulated EL4 cells, and VEGF secretion in SP-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings suggest that GMP could be useful for treating AD by modulating inflammatory responses and comorbid behavioral changes.  
Picrasma quasisoides (D.Don) Benn.; atopic dermatitis; skin inflammation; ADHD; neuroinflammation +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
with more severe symptoms of AD and frequent sleep disturbances [10]. The possible underlying mechanisms for the higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in AD patients have been suggested [11]. The persistent excessive release of inflammatory cytokines in AD affects the development of brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and neurotransmitter system, which play crucial roles in ADHD [12]. Hyperactivity patterns, decision-making, and attention deficits in ADHD are associated with the PFC region, and clinical studies have shown changes in neuronal activity in the PFC region after chronic AD [13; 14]. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as TNF-\(\alpha\), IFN-\(\gamma\), and IL-10 in AD lead to the dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the secretion of corticosteroids, which might contribute to the development of ADHD [15]. This suggests a close relationship in the pathophysiology of AD and psychiatric disorders. Thus, therapeutic approaches that manage AD symptoms and psychological disorders should be investigated to improve the patients' satisfaction with AD treatment.  
_Picrasma quasisoides_ (D.Don) Benn. bark, also known as Gomokpi (GMP) in traditional Korean, can strengthen the stomach, eliminate dampness, remove intestinal parasites, and promote pus discharge. GMP has been used to treat several symptoms, such as indigestion, gastroenteritis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and eczema [16; 17]. The main components of GMP are quasismoids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids, which have a range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective effects [18]. Previous studies reported that the GMP extract inhibited the allergic response in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model of asthma and suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide-LPS [19; 20]. Hence, this study investigated the beneficial effects of GMP on skin symptoms and behaviors in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse model of AD.