title: A natural dye, Niram improves atopic dermatitis through down-regulation of TSLP.
abstract: Naju Jjok (Polygonum tinctorium Lour.) has been known to treat skin diseases in traditional Korean medicine. A natural textile dye, Niram made from Naju Jjok has traditionally been used to dye clothes. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). Thus, we investigated that Niram might ameliorate AD through regulation of TSLP. Niram significantly inhibited the levels of TSLP through blockade of caspase-1/receptor-interacting protein 2 pathway in stimulated mast cells. Further, Niram ameliorated clinical symptoms in AD mouse. Niram significantly inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells in lesional skin. The levels of TSLP, caspase-1, IL-4, and IL-6 were inhibited in lesional skin applied topically with Niram. Niram significantly inhibited the serum levels of IgE and histamine in AD mouse. Finally, Niram significantly inhibited the levels of TSLP in polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid-stimulated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. These results establish Niram as a functional dye embracing the aspects of not only a traditional use but also a pharmacological effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Na-Ra
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Regional Innovation Center and Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Hoseo University, 165, Sechul-ri, Baebang-myun, Asan, Chungnam 336-795, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Regional Innovation Center and Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Hoseo University, 165, Sechul-ri, Baebang-myun, Asan, Chungnam 336-795, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology, Biochip Research Center, and Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Hoseo University, 165, Sechul-ri, Baebang-myun, Asan, Chungnam 336-795, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hjjeong@hoseo.edu.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hmkim@khu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D028502:Polygonum / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Caspase-1; Mast cell; NC/Nga mice; Niram; TSLP