Inhibitory effects of Saururus chinensis (LOUR.) BAILL on the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.
The present study was performed to examine whether the leaves of Saururus chinensis (LOUR.) BAILL (SC), an herb used for the management of various skin diseases including atopic dermatitis (AD) in Eastern countries, inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice which was induced by repeated application of picryl chloride (PiCl). The efficacy of SC was judged by measurement of skin severity, itching behavior, histological study, serum IgE levels, IL-4 and IFN-gamma in lymph nodes. Oral administration of SC extract to the PiCl-treated NC/Nga mice for 8 weeks (5 d per week) inhibited significantly the development of AD-like skin lesions macroscopically. Histologically, SC inhibited dermatitis changes like hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into epidermis and dermis. The itching behavior and serum IgE level decreased significantly after SC administration. SC administration enhanced IFN-gamma mRNA expression but did not have an effect on IL-4 mRNA expression. These results suggest that SC could inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice possibly through modulating the Th1/Th2 imbalance by the promoting of Th1 cell response. Thus, SC may be an alternative substance for the management of AD patients.
Choi
Myoung Suk
MS
Department of East-West Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Eui Chul
EC
Lee
Hyung Suk
HS
Kim
Sun Kwang
SK
Choi
Hyun Myung
HM
Park
Jung Hyuk
JH
Han
Jae-Bok
JB
An
Hyo Jin
HJ
Um
Jae Young
JY
Kim
Hyung Min
HM
Han
Ah-Reum
AR
Hong
Moo Chang
MC
Bae
Hyunsu
H
Min
Byung-Il
BI
D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032134:Saururaceae; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D010936:Plant Extracts; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma