title: Quantitative evaluation of therapeutic effect of Liriope platyphylla on phthalic anhydride-induced atopic dermatitis in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A variety of previous pharmacological studies have suggested that Liriope platyphylla may exert beneficial biological effects on inflammation, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorder, obesity, and atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The therapeutic effect of aqueous extract of Liriope platyphylla (AEtLP) on AD was quantified using the luciferase report system in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 transgenic (Tg) mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alteration of the luciferase signal was quantified in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice co-treated with phthalic anhydride (PA) and AEtLP for 2 weeks using the IVIS imaging system. Phenotypes of AD were assessed by ear thickness analysis, measurement of immune-related organ weights, ELISA, and histological and pathological analysis in Tg mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A strong luciferase signal was detected in the abdominal region of IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice treated with only PA. However, this signal was significantly reduced in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice co-treated with PA+AEtLP in an AEtLP concentration-dependent manner. Especially, three organs, the thymus, pancreas, and submandibular lymph node (SL), showed a high signal response to PA treatment. Furthermore, to verify whether or not alteration of the luciferase signal is associated with AD, these disease response phenotypes were measured in the same group of mice. Common allergenic responses including increases in ear thickness, lymph node weight, IgE concentration, and infiltrated mast cells were detected in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice treated with PA. However, these responses were dramatically decreased by AEtLP treatment for 2 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the luciferase signal may successfully reflect the therapeutic effects of AEtLP in IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice. Further, we suggest additional evidence that Liriope platyphylla may be considered as an effective therapeutic drug for the treatment of AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Natural Resources & Life Science, Pusan National University, Miryang 627-706, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Hwa
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bum Su
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Jin Tae
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Sang Hak
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dae Youn
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004423:Ear; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D031424:Liriope Plant; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008156:Luciferases; C043103:phthalic anhydride
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 Tg mice; Liriope platyphylla; Luciferase; Phthalic anhydride