title: Inhibitory effects of polysaccharide-rich extract of Phragmites rhizoma on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phragmites rhizoma was reported to have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activity. It also has been traditionally used to suppress inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the topical effects of the polysaccharide-rich extract of P. rhizoma (PEP) on atopic dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We induced AD-like skin lesions by an extract of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Dfb) in NC/Nga mice, and then performed macroscopic analysis, immunohistochemical staining and measurement of total serum IgE and cytokine production by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Topically applied PEP suppressed dermatitis with a decrease in dermatitis score and scratch number. The histological manifestations of atopic skin lesions including thickened epidermis and increased numbers of mast cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and nerve fibers were significantly attenuated. The activation of IgE and the levels of cytokines such as IFN-γ IL-4 and IL-10 were also decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicated that PEP might have an inhibitory effect on atopic dermatitis-like lesion and be a promising natural resource in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yunsung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Yoon Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Li Ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Ho Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eon Sub
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kwang Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Dong-Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeong-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Je
authors.forename: Yong Kyoo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011134:Polysaccharides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E