title: Improvement of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by Platycodon grandiflorum fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized as a multi-factorial inflammatory skin disease that has been increasing worldwide. Previously, we demonstrated that FPG, which is Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), increases the level of interferon (IFN)-gamma in mouse splenocytes in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of FPG in an animal model of AD, with a particular emphasis on its effects on T helper (Th)1 and Th2 immune responses. To assess the potential use of FPG for the inhibition of AD, we established a model of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Immunoglobulin isotypes (Igs) and Th1/Th2 cytokines in the sera and spleens of AD-like mice were examined. In addition, histological examination was also performed. AD symptoms in skin lesions improved following oral administration of FPG. IgE secretion was significantly down-regulated, and this was accompanied by decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IgG1 and increased serum levels of IL-12p40 and IgG2a in FPG-treated animals. In splenocytes, the production of the Th1 cytokines IL-12p40 and IFN-gamma was up-regulated, while the levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and 5 were down-regulated by FPG treatment. These results suggest that FPG inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing the Th2 cell response and increasing the Th1 cell responses. Our results indicate that FPG is safe and effective for the prevention of AD-like skin lesions.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Atopy and Immunity, CombiMed Co., Ltd., Seocho-gu, Seoul 137–070, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Wan-Gi
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hwan-Suck
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Byoung-Woo
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kyoo-Seok
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Jeong-Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyunsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005285:Fermentation; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D048191:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031238:Platycodon; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D028321:Plant Preparations; D007073:Immunoglobulin E