Aim The present study aimed to investigate antiinflammatory activity of 6AP on murine model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).Methods 6′acetylpaeoniflorin (6AP) was synthesized from paeoniflorin (Pae)via acetylation and the structure was characterized by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and EIMS.ACD model was established by repeated application of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce skin immune inflammation.The mice were orally administered 6AP (35, 70, 140 mg · kg1 · d1), Pae (70 mg· kg1 · d1) and prednisone (Pre, 5 mg ·kg1 · d1) from day 1 to day 7 after Cutaneous inflammation was evaluated by ear swelling and histological examination.Splenocyte proliferation was assayed by the 3(4, 5dimethylthiazol2yl)2, 5diphenyl2H tetrazolium bromide assay.The cytokine production in the splenocytes was measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.Results Topical application of DNCB to the skin provoked obvious swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration.6AP significantly inhibited ear swelling, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and epidermal keratinization.Addtionally, 6AP obviously alleviated the hyperplasia of red pulp and germinal center (GC) appearance, decreased spleen index, decreased spleen index, and inhibited splenocyte proliferation in ACD model, compared to that of Pae.Further, the study indicated that 6AP treatment could increase IL10 level, while reduce IL17 level in splenocytes simultaneously.The correlation analysis displayed significantly positive correlations between IL17 level and the severity of skin inflammation, while negative correlations between IL10 level and skin inflammation.Conclusion 6AP has a significantly higher antiinflammatory effect than Pae, and it may be a useful treatment for ACD.