title: Topical application of an ethanol extract prepared from Illicium verum suppresses atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Illicium verum is a traditional herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory properties used in Asia. However, its usefulness in the treatment of allergic diseases remains unclear. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects of I. verum extract (IVE) in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the effects of IVE on compound 48/80-induced histamine release, and phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated cytokines secretion in MC/9 mast cells. Atopic dermatitis was induced in NC/Nga mice by exposure to extract of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae). After a topical application of IVE on ear and skin lesions, we evaluated the severity of skin symptoms, ear thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, and serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, interleukin (IL)-6, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. In addition, we determined the expression of IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), ICAM-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in ear tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IVE inhibited secretion of histamine, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α from mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Topical application of IVE significantly reduced dermatitis scores, ear thickness, and serum levels of IgE, histamine, IL-6, and ICAM-1. Histopathological analysis demonstrated decreased epidermal thickening and dermal infiltration by inflammatory cells. In the ear lesions, IVE treatment reduced expression of IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TARC, RANTES, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, but not IFN-γ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that IVE inhibits atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by suppressing the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. These results suggest that IVE may be a potential therapeutic candidate for atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Basic Herbal Medicine Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 483 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Young
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Won-Kyung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: A Yeong
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Seon
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoung Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Nho
authors.forename: Young Sang
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ho Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit; D006632:Histamine / Q000097:blood; D029523:Illicium; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; C548377:ICAM-4 protein, mouse; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D000431:Ethanol; D006632:Histamine