title: Effect of Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recently, some studies reported that digestive tract disease is closely associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) is a Korean medicine, which has come onto the drugstore for the treatment of digestive tract disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether KMP6 could suppress 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were sensitized with DNFB by applying to shaved dorsal skin. At that time, the drugs or saline were orally administrated to DNFB-applied mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of KMP6 or glycyrrhizic acid (GL), a major component of KMP6, inhibited the scratching number in DNFB-induced AD model. The mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and CCR3 were upregulated by DNFB sensitization, but the upregulated mRNA expressions were significantly reduced by the administration of KMP6 or GL. In addition, the levels of IgE, histamine, and IL-4 were significantly reduced by the administration of KMP6 or GL in serum of DNFB-induced AD model. However, the level of IFN-γ in serum was significantly increased by KMP6 or GL. KMP6 or GL also significantly inhibited the numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cells, and protein level of IL-4 in lesions of DNFB-induced AD model. Finally, KMP6 or GL significantly decreased the productions of IL-4, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 antibody-stimulated splenocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KMP6 showed anti-atopic potential in this setting; hence we suggest it as a potential prospect for anti-atopic agent besides being just a medicine for the stomach and bowels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Na-Ra
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Phil-Dong
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun-Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C562348:pyeongwee-san extract; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene