title: Inhibition of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis by topical application of the butanol extract of Cordyceps bassiana in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Cordyceps species are insect-borne mushrooms that have been ethnopharmacologically used for skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the curative effects of the butanol fraction (CBBF) of Cordyceps bassiana on atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dermatitis was induced by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in NC/Nga mice. After a topical application of CBBF on the skin lesions, the dermatitis score, epidermal thickness, mast cell number, and interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as the levels of histamine and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the serum, were measured. Moreover, effect of CBBF on histamine release was examined using RBL-2H3 under stimulation with 2,4-dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBBF inhibited atopic dermatitis symptoms and signs in the DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice. The suppressive activity of topically applied CBBF may be due to the dose-dependent blockade of a series of immunopathological events, including the release of histamine, the production of IgE, and the secretion of IL-4 and IFN-γ. However, this extract did not directly suppress the degranulation process, assessed by measuring β-hexosaminidase release.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that CBBF can be applied as an effective herbal remedy to treat atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, 39 Hallymdaehak-gil, Chuncheon 200-702, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gi Ho
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Tae Woong
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Se Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Byeon
authors.forename: Jae Youl
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Chun Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyoung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000097:blood*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006632:Histamine; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases