Effects of topical application of Astragalus membranaceus on allergic dermatitis.
Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is one of the most popular health-promoting herbs in East Asia, and has been used in traditional medicine for more than 2000 years. This study was performed to examine whether AM suppresses atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice. Seven-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to induce allergic dermatitis. Skin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to assess epidermal and dermal hyperplasia, which were determined by measuring the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis, respectively. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgE) concentration was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the levels of interleukins (IL)-4, -5, -6, and -13 and tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured in mouse serum. Significance was determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Topical AM markedly improved the AD skin lesions in DNCB-induced mice. The AD skin lesions were significantly thinner in the AM treatment group compared with untreated controls, and the hyperkeratosis disappeared. Topical treatment of AM also restored nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression. In addition, the serum IgE level was reduced. AM suppressed the expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, -5, -6, and -13) and significantly decreased the TNF-α level. AM is effective for treating AD by regulating cytokines. AM may be an alternative or complementary therapeutic option for treating patients with AD. More in-depth studies are necessary to clarify the mechanisms of AM.
Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Institute of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Ji Hyun
JH
Kim
Mi Hye
MH
Kim
Gabsik
G
Yang
Youngbuhm
Y
Huh
Sung-Hoon
SH
Kim
Woong Mo
WM
Yang
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000276:immunology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D020405:Dermis / Q000276:immunology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D017488:Hyperkeratosis, Epidermolytic / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D007378:Interleukins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E