title: Inhibitory effects of Schizandra chinensis extract on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizandra chinensis Baillon (SC) is traditionally used as a medicinal plant in the Orient. Recently, SC has become recognized as an adaptogen by the mainstream medical community. Phytoadaptogens influence respiratory, cardiovascular, uterus myotonic, and immune activities. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic inflammatory skin disease caused by aberrant and over-reactive immune responses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the suppressive effect of SC extract (SCE) on 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD in a NC/Nga mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  AD was induced by topically applying 0.2% DNCB to the hairless-back of NC/Nga mice for 4 weeks. Treated mice received SCE or dexamethasone after AD induction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SCE markedly suppressed DNCB-induced dermatitis, as determined by a count of scratching frequency; measurement of IgE, IgM, and histamine levels in serum; and histological observation of epidermal hyperplasia and mast-cell infiltration. Additionally, SCE lessened DNCB-induced histamine receptor mRNA expression in skin tissue and the splenic expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and high-affinity IgE receptor B protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCE appears useful for suppression of AD, even though the active pathway(s) remain unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Heung Mook
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006632:Histamine / Q000097:blood; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000235:genetics; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000378:metabolism; D032141:Schisandra / Q000737:chemistry*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C521907:Fc-epsilon receptor I beta-chain, mouse; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015848:Interleukin-5; D011968:Receptors, Histamine; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006632:Histamine