title: Investigation of the dermal sensitizing potential of traditional medical extracts in local lymph node assays.
abstract: Traditional medical extracts are commonly used as complex mixtures, which may contain naturally occurring contact sensitizers. In this investigation, the mice local lymph node assay (LLNA) was performed to evaluate the dermal sensitization potential of Myrrh, Borneolum, Olibanum, Moschus and Cassia Bark, which are widely used in topical traditional medication. In the radioactive LLNA, the stimulation index (SI) values were calculated for each medical extract. Myrrh, Borneolum, Olibanum and Moschus induced dose-dependent cell proliferation and SI was more than 3. Cassia Bark showed no positive response over the range of test concentrations. In the flow cytometry analysis, the total number of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) cells in local lymph nodes was increased in Moschus-, Olibanum-, Myrrh- and Borneolum-treated mice. The ratio of the B220(+)/CD3(+) (B/T cell ratio) and the percentage of I-A(k+) cells that was also positive for the CD69 marker (I-A(k+)/ CD69(+)) were increased in the Moschus-, Olibanum- and Myrrh-treated mice. However, no ofbvious change was observed in Borneolum-treated mice. Cassia Bark did not induce changes in the lymphocyte subpopulations. These results indicate that Moschus, Olibanum and Myrrh can be regarded as sensitizers, and Borneolum regarded as an irritant. Cassia Bark is neither a sensitizer nor an irritant. The combination of radioactive and flow cytometric LLNA can be used for the prediction of sensitizing potential of medical extracts which lead to allergic contact dermatitis in humans.
authors.affiliation: National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Guang-Yan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ying-Lan
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiao-Juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yan-Qiang
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Zhuo
authors.forename: Yan-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Bo
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Cen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D020405:Dermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007509:Irritants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D023441:Local Lymph Node Assay; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007509:Irritants; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000099192:CD69 Antigens