• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate if a composition of herb extracts, PLX-PLS was effective to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. SPZZC is a composition of herb extracts containing the roots of Scopolia parviflora and Paeonia lactiflora, the herb of Zizania caudiflora, the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba and the leaf of Chinese arborvitae. AD in BALB/c mouse was induced by patching ovoalbumin on the backside, while it in NC/Nga mouse was induced by repeated application of 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Mice were topically treated with SPZZC or Domohorn ointment on the backside for 2 weeks (BALB/c) or 1 week (NC/Nga). Scratching behavior, clinical skin severity and the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE were measured. After AD induction, scores of scratching behavior and clinical skin severity and the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE were increased. Treatment with SPZZC significantly decreased scores of scratching behavior and clinical skin severity in a dose dependent manner in NC/Nga and BALB/c mice. Treatment with SPZZC 2% significantly decreased also the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE. Especially, treatment of SPZZC 2% reduced more rapidly score of clinical skin severity than clobetasol cream. These results suggest that the SPZZC may be an alternative substance for the management of AD.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.67-76
• /
• 2023

Under constant environmental pollution, the incidence of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) caused by air pollutants and allergens has increased. AD is an allergy inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritus, eczema, and skin dryness. In herbal medicine, Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma; AR) has been utilized to treat Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, and inflammation. The purpose of study evaluated the effect of AR in a mouse model of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions. After acclimatization for 5 days, the mice (6-week-old, male Balb/c) were divided into five groups (n=6/group): NC (normal control), DNCB (control), Dex (5 mg·kg-1, p.o.), AR100 (100 mg·kg-1, p.o.), and AR300 (300 mg·kg-1, p.o.). On days 1 and 3, 1% DNCB was applied to the skin and ears. After 4 days, 0.5% DNCB was applied once every 2 days for 2 weeks. Then, skin and ears eczema area and severity index (EASI); skin nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels; and plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were examined. The AR groups showed lower EASI, skin and ear thickness, mast cell count, and IgE levels than the control groups. Moreover, AR reduced iNOS, COX-2, and PGE2 levels. Therefore, AR possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can improve skin damage, indicating its therapeutic potential against AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.52-70
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis(AD) and environmental factors are closely related, but there is lack of oriental medical examination. So we compared the relationship between AD and various environmental factors in Oriental medicine and Western medicine. Methods : We described the relationship between AD and environmental factors through the latest papers and a review of the oriental medicine literature. Results : The regional diversity of AD incidence implies a close relationship between climate factors and AD, and high altitude and low pH springs also have an effect on AD. Air pollutants from industrialization and urbanization aggravate AD. The increase in indoor residence time and the increase in room temperature and humidity have also increased the sensitization to allergens such as house dust mite. In oriental medicine, wind(風) is one of the environmental factors and is an inflammatory state due to external irritation. Wind-Humidity(風濕) refers to erythematous wetting dermatitis with itching and exudation, Wind-Fever(風熱) refers to acute inflammatory reaction with erythematous papules and plague, and Blood-Weakness(血虛) refers to aggravation and chronicization of inflammation due to persistence of skin barrier impairment. Conclusions : We examined the relationship between AD and various environmental factors. We also described the oriental medical viewpoints of the environmental factors in the occurrence of AD and skin barrier impairment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.201-211
• /
• 2010

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which is characterized by severe pruritis, erythema, edema, effusion and scabs. The aim of this study was to understand effects of Arctium lappa Linne, which is well known for its efficacy for various skin diseases, on atopic dermatitis Methods : We conducted this experiment using the DNFB-induced NC/Nga mice. After two weeks of applying DNFB to NC/Nga mice, severe symptoms of atopic dermatitis occurred. We divided the mice into three different groups: a control group which was given no treatment at all, a group treated with dexamethasone (1mg/kg), and another group treated with Arctium lappa Linne (300mg/kg). After one week of treatment, results were recorded according to their improvement on skin, itching behavior, IL-4, and INF-$\gamma$ measurement, which is a significant criterion for diagnosing atopic dermatitis. Results : Itching behavior showed significant improvement in the Arctium lappa Linne group. However Arctium lappa Linne failed to reduce IL-4 and INF-$\gamma$ count. Also there was no satisfying improvement on AD-like skin lesions on the rostral back of the NC/Nga mice treated with Arctium lappa Linne. Conclusions : Arctium lappa Linne showed improvement in itching behavior in NC/Nga mice induced by DNFB. Arctium lappa Linne showed neither significant improvement on skin lesions nor in IL-4 and INF-$\gamma$ measurement.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.392-398
• /
• 2007

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration in the skin. This study was performed to assess the therapeutic effects of YHYBT on the DNCB-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, characterized by the onset of AD along with an increase the number of Th2 cells and dysregulation of inflammaroty mediators including cytokines and chemokines. YHYBT administration significantly reduced clinical dermatitis severity including pruritus, edema, eczematous and erythema. Histological findings indicated that the thickening of epidermis/dermis and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells including mast cells were dramatically reduced. The suppression of dermatitis by YHYBT was accompanied by a decrease in the total number of immune cells in drained lymph node (DLN) and skin. Especially CD3+, CD4+ and CD3+CD69+ T cells in PBMC and DNL were greatly reduced. The level of IL-4 in CD3/CD28 activated splenocyte was downregulated, whereas that of IFN-'처리불가‘ was increased. Furthermore, the expression of eotaxin2 and CCR3 in skin were significanlty decreased. These data suggest that YHTBT may be effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.714-720
• /
• 2007

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration in the skin. This study was performed to assess the therapeutic effects of BHOSB on the DNCB-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, characterized by the onset of AD along with an increase the number of inflammatory cells and dysregulation of inflammatory mediators including cytokines and chemokines. BHOSB administration significantly reduced clinical dermatitis severity including pruritus, edema, eczematous and erythema. Histological findings indicated that the thickening of epidermis/dermis and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells including mast cells were dramatically reduced. The suppression of dermatitis by BHOSB was accompanied by a decrease in the number of CD11b$^+$/Gr-1$^+$ immune cells in skin but not CD3$^+$/CCR3$^+$ cells. However, the number of CD3$^+$ cells was increased in BHOSB administrated NC/Nga mice. Oral administration of BHOSB significantly reduced the level of IL-6, TNF-a and eotaxin 2 mRNA in skin. These data suggest that BHOSB may be effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.486-497
• /
• 2015

Objectives Hataedock is an orally administered herbal extract treatment for newborn babies that dispels toxic heat and meconium gathered by the fetus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Hataedock alleviates inflammatory skin damage in AD (Atopic Dermatitis)-induced NC/Nga mice through regulating and maintaining the skin barrier and anti-inflammation effects.Methods We established an AD model in three-week-old NC/Nga mice through the repeated application of DNFB (dinitrochlorobenzene) on days 28, 35, and 42 after Hataedock treatment was orally administered. We identified changes in the skin barrier and anti-inflammation effects through the histological and immunohistochemical changes of TNF- α, NF-κB p65, iNOS, COX-2, and apoptotic bodies.Results Skin damage and angiogenesis were mitigated in the HT (Hataedock) group. Damage to the intercellular space of the stratum corneum as well as hyperplasia, edema, the infiltration of lymphocytes, and the increase of capillaries decreased in the HT group. Our results suggest that Hataedock treatment significantly down-regulated levels of TNF- α by 38% (p<0.001) and of NF-κB p65 by 70% (p<0.001). But Hataedock up-regulated apoptosis by 183% in dermatitis-induced skin.Conclusions These results suggest that Hataedock alleviates AD through diminishing the various inflammatory cytokines in skin lesions that are involved in the initial steps of AD development. It might have potential applications for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.22.1-22.17
• /
• 2021

Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1) is known to induce inflammation in the progression of allergic diseases. Previous our studies revealed that 2-({3-[2-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284-6111; K284), the CHI3L1 inhibiting compound, has the anti-inflammatory effect on neuroinflammation. In this study, we investigated that K284 treatment could inhibit the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). To identify the effect of K284, we used phthalic anhydride (5% PA)-induced AD animal model and in vitro reconstructed human skin model. We analyzed the expression of AD-related cytokine mediators and NF-κB signaling by Western blotting, ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR. Histological analysis showed that K284 treatment suppressed PA-induced epidermal thickening and infiltration of mast cells. K284 treatment also reduced PA-induced release of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, K284 treatment inhibited the expression of NF-κB activity in PA-treated skin tissues and TNF-α and IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. Protein-association network analysis indicated that CHI3L1 is associated with lactoferrin (LTF). LTF was elevated in PA-treated skin tissues and TNF-α and IFN-γ-induced HaCaT cells. However, this expression was reduced by K284 treatment. Knockdown of LTF decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-induced HaCaT cells. Moreover, anti-LTF antibody treatment alleviated AD development in PA-induced AD model. Our data demonstrate that CHI3L1 targeting K284 reduces AD-like skin inflammation and K284 could be a promising therapeutic agent for AD by inhibition of LTF expression.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-27
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Yijungtang(YJT) on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro and in-vivo experiment using a RBL-2H3 mast cells and a NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse. Methods: In-vitro experiment, IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression were evaluated by a real-time PCR, IL-4, IL-13 production by ELISA and transcription factor as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-kB by western blotting. In-vivo experiment, clinical skin score we evaluated by, hematology and Serum total IgE and IgG1 of NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, cytokine level, total number of cell, Immunohistochemical staining and Histological features of auxiliary lymph node(ALN), draining lymph node(DLN), peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and dorsal skin tissue in NC/Nga mouse. Results: YJT decreased IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression, IL-4, IL-13 production and prominently decreased the expression of mast cell specific transcription factors including GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Fos and NF-kB. YJT oral administration reduced the levels of skin severity scores. It also decreased the level of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-5, IL-13, histamine and IgE in the serum. It elevated IFN-gamma level in the spleenocyte culture supernatant but decreased. $CD3e^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$, $CCR3^+$ in the PBMCs, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$, $B220^+CD23^+$ in the ALN, $CD4^+$, $CD3e^+CD69^+$ in the ALN and $CD4^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ in the dorsal skin. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in the skin of AD-induced NC/Nga mice were much improved by YJT oral administration. Conclusions: The anti-allergic activities of YJT may be mediated by down-regulation of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13, through the regulation GATA-2, NF-AT2 and NF-kB transcription factors in mast cells. YJT would be regulate molecular mediators and immune cells which are functionally associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mice, and may play an important role in recovering AD symptoms.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.