• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.41-45
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• 2013

Objective: The root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. Japonica (Ulmi Radicis cortex, URC) is a medicinal herb used for promoting diuresis and treating dampness. In Korea, URC has long been used as an efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we used 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis (CD) mouse model to investigate the anti-allergic and the anti-inflammatory effects of URC on skin lesion, histopathological changes and specific antibody production. Results: URC treatment, 10 mg/mL, effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. In the histopathological observation, topical application of URC inhibited spongiosis. In addition, URC lowered the production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG2a in serum. Conclusion: These data indicate that URC has an anti-inflammatory effect that produces an improvement of skin lesions in CD mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.730-741
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• 2008

Objective : To examine the efficacy of CY, the improvement of atopy dermatitis(AD)-like lesions on the rostral back of the NC/Nga mice, which took CY orally and were treated with a chemical substance called DNFB, the inhibition of ear swelling, and the inhibition of inflammatory response of the ear tissue of the mice were observed and compared, and the inhibition of the serum IgE count and the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count produced by CD4+ T cells of the lymph node were observed and compared. Materials and Methods : For measurement of ear thicknesses, 0.15% DNFB $25{\mu}l$ mixed with acetone/olive oil(3:1) was applied to the right ear and dorsal skin of the NC/Nga mice 5 times at an interval of 7 days. Ear thickness was measured every day over a five-week period after the first application of DNFB. The total serum IgE count was measured with ELISA by taking blood samples 24 hours after the fifth application of DNFB. To measure the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count, the lymph node was cut off, and the CD4+ T cells were purified and stimulated to activate the T cells, and then the IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ count was measured with ELISA. Results : Continuous oral administration of CY improved the AD-like skin lesions on the rostral back and inhibited the ear swelling in NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB and inhibited the inflammatory response in the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB NC/Nga mice. Continuous oral administration of CY did not significantly inhibit the serum IgE count and failed to significantly reduce the IL-4 count generated after TCR stimulation in the CD4+ T cells of the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB. Continuous oral administration of CY significantly reduced the IFN-${\gamma}$ count generated after TCR stimulation in the CD4+ T cells of the NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.257-264
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 70% ethanol extract (DR) on the mast cell-mediated allergic contact dermatitis induced by dinitrofluorobenzene in BALB / c mice, which affects the cell activity by antigen in RBL-2H3 mast cells Respectively. The ethanol extracts of RBL-2H3 cells activated by DNP-HSA and anti-DNP IgE antibodies inhibited the secretion of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, histamine, and IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ Production was suppressed. In the DNFB-induced contact allergic dermatitis animal model, treatment with ethanol extract reduced ear swelling and inhibited serum histamine and IL-4 secretion, and DR treatment effectively prevented mast cell infiltration in dermatitis-induced areas. As a result, the ethanol extract may be used as a therapeutic agent for mast cell-mediated allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is one of major herbs used to treat patients with skin diseases diagnosed by wind-heat syndrome. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Extract (SBE) on skin lesion of Contact dermatitis (CD) in mice. We investigated the effects of SBE on skin thickness, skin lesions, erythema index and melanin index in vivo. The effects on body weights and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated in mice with CD induced by topical application of 1-Fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). In our results, topical application of SBE lowered skin thickness significantly. In addition, SBE ameliorated skin lesions such as erythema, exudate and petechia in mice with CD. SBE also inhibited erythema index elevated by DNFB significantly. finally, SBE did not affect body weight and spleen/body weight ratio. In conclusion, these data imply that SBE can ameliorate skin lesion of CD such as erythema, exudate and petechia, and be used to treat CD patients with relative safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2014

Elevation of intracellular calcium ($Ca^{{+}{+}}$) triggers degranulation of mast cells by bypassing receptor activation. Flos Sophora japonica L. has been used as a natural dying source and has been reported to have biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and IgE crosslinking. In the present investigation, we report the regulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Flos Sophora japonica L. (S.F) on allergic mediators produced by $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ ionophore activation in mast cells. S.F significantly inhibited calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production as well as mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, administration of S.F suppressed allergic reactions in a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic dermatitis mouse model. Both oral administration and ear painting using 50 mg/kg of S.F significantly reduced levels of cytokines such as IL-4, TNF, and interferon-${\gamma}$ in ear tissues compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Serum IgE level in the S.F-treated group also decreased compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Weights of spleens and lymph nodes in the S.F-treated groups also decreased compared to the control group. Considering the data, we conclude that S.F mediates its anti-allergic effects not only through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ stimulation but also $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ influx in mast cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2016

Hataedock is a Korean medical treatment that administers herbal extracts orally to newborn infants. This method is used for alleviating harmful heat and excreting fetal wastes by meconium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of Hataedock method with Douchi on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). The 3-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 3 groups: the control group (Ctrl), the AD-induced group (AE), and the Hataedock-treated group (GT). Only the GT group was treated with Hataedock at the 3rd week. After 28 days from Hataedock treatment, we induced AD-like dermatitis to the AE and GT group by DNFB. The effects of Hataedock were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. In the epithelium, PKC-positive reaction of the GT group was decreased by 57%. In the dermal papillae, IL-4-positive reaction was decreased by 34%. In the dermis, the distribution of degranulated mast cells was decreased and substance P-positive reaction was decreased by 49%. In the skin tissue, edema was decreased and MMP-9-positive reaction was decreased by 71%. Tissue damage such as epithelial cell hyperplasia, infiltration of granulocyte and lymphocyte, and capillary distribution were also decreased. The Hataedock method with Douchi maintained skin barrier and inhibited skin-damaging factors via regulating Th2 differentiation. In conclusion, Hataedock has a potential for preventative treatment of AD. Further studies are necessary to investigate the immune-regulating mechanism and verify the safety and efficacy of the Hataedock method.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Objectives Hataedock is the treatment that dispels toxic heat and meconium gathered at the fetus for the new born baby by orally administered herbal extracts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Hataedock alleviate inflammatory skin damages in AD-induced NC/Nga mice through regulating of skin barrier maintain and Th2 differentiation. Methods We established an AD model in the 3-week-old NC/Nga mice through the repeated application of DNFB (dinitrochlorobenzene) on days 28, 35, 42 after Hataedock treatment which was orally administered. We identified the changes of skin barrier and Th2 differentiation through the histological and immunohistochemical changes of protein kinase C (PKC), interleukin (IL)-4, degranulated mast cell, Substance P and MMP-9. Results Our results suggested that Hataedock treatment significantly down-regulated levels of PKC by 82% (p < 0.001), as well as IL-4 by 56% (p < 0.001). Hataedock also suppressed mast cell infiltration, ear edema formation. and Substance P in the tissue of NC/Nga mice were decreased by 57% (p < 0.001), and MMP-9 by 55% (p < 0.001). Conclusions These results suggest that Hataedock alleviates AD through the down-regulation of PKC and Th2 cytokines, which are involved in the initial steps of AD development. Hataedock have potential application for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2014

Lonicerae Flos containing formulation, Geumeumyoungji-tang (GYT), is an herbal prescription prepared using 5 different herbal drugs, namely, Lonicerae Flos, Ganoderma, Lactucae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, and Smilacis Rhizoma. This study was focused on the investigation of the pharmacological effects of GYT on allergic reactions. As the first step of the study, GYT was administered BALB/c mice which were sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the result GYT ameliorated dermatitis provoked by DNFB. The serum IgE level of the DNFB sensitized-mouse was significantly decreased when GYT was administered. In order to confirm the moderating effect of this prescription on allergic reaction, GYT was pretreated to human mast cells (HMC-1) before they were stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). GYT suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, from HMC-1. Additionally, pretreatment of GYT showed regulating effect on COX-2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the pharmacological actions of GYT as a potential agent for treatment of allergic dermatitis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2013

Objectives : The water extract of Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang (HHT), composed of the Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex and Gardeniae Fructus has been traditionally used to treat fever, inflammation, gastritis and hypertension in east asia. However, little is known about the ameliorative effects of HHT on atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of HHT on atopic dermatitis Methods : We investigated the inhibitory effects of HHT on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), on the scratching behavior in ICR mice, and on atopic dermatitis symptoms in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like model hairless mice. Results : Levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ increased by PMA plus A23187 co-treatment were significantly inhibited by HHT in a dose-dependent manner. HHT also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. The oral administration of HHT reduced the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 and histamine in ICR mice. Furthermore, the intradermal treatment of HHT reduced the ear edema, skin lesions, and atopic molecular marker (IgE and IL-4) in DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis model mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HHT may be used as a potential treatment for AD as a prescription for treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.120-120
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• 2019

Allergic inflammatory disease has been increased by abnormal lifestyle and food habits. Especially, prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been elevated and treatment of AD has not been unclear. Red sweet pepper (RSP), named as Capsicum annuum L, has been known as having pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, detoxification and antibacterial effects. However, the beneficial effect of ethanolic extract of RSP on AD has not been partly examined yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory effects of RSP on AD in vitro and in vivo models. The treatment of RSP inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT cell). Also, RSP extract regulated 2,4-dinitroflorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of RSP ameliorated DNFB-induced AD-like symptoms. In presented results indicated that RSP inhibited inflammatory cytokines in HaCaT cell and ameliorated AD-like skin lesion through suppression of symptom of DNFB-induced skin inflammation. Thus, RSP might be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.