title: Anti-inflammatory effects of sacran, a novel polysaccharide from Aphanothece sacrum, on 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene-induced allergic dermatitis in vivo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sacran is a newly discovered sulfated polysaccharide extracted from an algae, Aphanothece sacrum, grown in a river of the Kyushu region in Japan.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate sacran's inhibitory effect in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB)-induced allergic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sacran was extracted by acid and alkaline treatment of A sacrum cyanobacterial biomaterials. To sensitize mice, 150 μL of 5% TNCB was applied epicutaneously on the abdomen of each mouse on day 1 and challenged with 15 μL of 1% TNCB applied on the ear skin of mice on day 8 and then every other day to induce skin lesions. Serum levels of inflammatory markers were measured and histopathologic examination of ear skin specimens performed. On the other hand, sacran's transepidermal water loss was evaluated in 11 volunteer women with dry skin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epicutaneous application of sacran in mice has significantly inhibited the development of allergic dermatitis skin lesions and reduced the number of scratching behavior episodes (P < .01). In addition, sacran efficiently inhibited IgE (P < .001), tumor necrosis factor α (P = .02), interleukin 4, interleukin 5, and interferon γ (P < .01; vs buffer in the TNCB group) production and eosinophilic infiltration in the chemical allergen-exposed ear skin. In addition, sacran-treated body regions of human volunteers with dry skin significantly reduced transepidermal water loss levels compared with exogenous hyaluronic acid (P < .01), which is known to improve skin moisture and exert skin barrier repair activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that sacran exerts anti-inflammatory effects by improving skin barrier function and reducing T(H)2 cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan.
authors.forename: Nlandu Roger
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Ngatu
authors.forename: Maiko K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Okajima
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yokogawa
authors.forename: Ryoji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hirota
authors.forename: Masamitsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eitoku
authors.forename: Basilua Andre
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Muzembo
authors.forename: Narongpon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dumavibhat
authors.forename: Mikiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takaishi
authors.forename: Shigetoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Narufumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suganuma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008875:Middle Aged; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D011134:Polysaccharides; C571099:sacran; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D010853:Picryl Chloride