title: Luffa cylindrica suppresses development of Dermatophagoides farinae-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Nc/Nga mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fruit pulp of Luffa cylindrica Roemer (Cucurbitaceae) (LC) has been used to induce hemostasis, resolve phlegm and clear fever in traditional Korean medicine. However, the efficacy of LC has not been examined in atopic dermatitis (AD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A 70% ethanol extract of LC was evaluated to determine anti-inflammation and anti-AD effects in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inhibitory effects of LC on the production of PGE2 and histamine were respectively measured in lipopolysaccharide-treated (1 μg/mL) RAW264.7 macrophages and phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate (50 nM) and A23187 (1 µM)-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. The production of AD-related chemokines (RANTES, TARC, and MDC) were evaluated in IFN-γ and TNF-α-stimulated (10 ng/mL, each) HaCaT keratinocytes. LC (10 mg/mouse/d) was topically applied to the dorsal skin and ears of Dermatophagoides farina (Pyroglyphidae)-sensitized Nc/Nga mice for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IC50 values of LC on PGE2 and histamine production were 16.89 and 139.9 μg/mL, individually. The production of TARC and RANTES were inhibited 20% and 12% by LC (50 μg/mL) in HaCaT cells, respectively (p < 0.05). In sensitized-NC/Nga mice, the plasma levels of IgE and histamine were suppressed 36% and 41% by LC, respectively (p < 0.05). LC also reduced hemorrhage, hypertrophy, and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and infiltration of mast cells in the dorsal skin and ear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LC can inhibit AD-like skin lesions and reduce the generation of IgE via inhibition of the inflammatory responses. LC has potential as a therapeutic agent to treat allergic diseases, including AD.
authors.affiliation: Herbal Medicine Formulation Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine , Daejeon , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyekyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Hye-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Mee-Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In-Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Woo Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Jung-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeun Kyoo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040001:Dermatophagoides farinae / Q000276:immunology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D029776:Luffa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Anti-inflammation; IgE; chemokines; histamine