title: Effect of Alnus japonica extract on a model of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The bark of Alnus species has long been used in traditional oriental medicine in the treatment of many pathological conditions, including fever, hemorrhage, diarrhea, alcoholism, various skin diseases (e.g. chronic herpes, eczema and prurigo), and inflammation. In order to assess the immunomodulatory efficacy of a novel herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis, we measured serum levels of several allergic and inflammatory biomarkers in NC/Nga mice before and after treatment with this experimental agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gene and protein expression analyses of iNOS and COX-2 were quantified by real time PCR and Western blot analysis and serum levels of IL-4, -5 and -13 were also measured by ELISA, all of which were reduced after treatment with the experimental agent. Additionally, serum concentrations of IgE and blood eosinophil counts were reduced in treated mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The topical application of leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica suppressed the development of AD-like skin lesions. The percent of blood eosinophils was decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica. The serum IgE and Th2-related cytokine levels were decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica compared with those treated with base cream (vehicle treated AD group). The IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were lower than those of vehicle treated AD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We contend that leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica may prove useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases, although more in-depth clinical studies are necessary before clinical implementation.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kwan Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Mi Sook
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Han Hyuk
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Do Ik
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Chung Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyoweon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Young Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Min Won
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D029661:Alnus; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E