title: Douchi (fermented Glycine max Merr.) alleviates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by regulation of PKC and IL-4.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Douchi (fermented Glycine max Merr.) is produced from fermented soybeans, which is widely used in traditional herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated whether Douchi attenuates protein kinase C (PKC) and interleukin (IL)-4 response and cutaneous inflammation in Atopic dermatitis (AD)-like NC/Nga mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  To induce AD-like skin lesions, D. farinae antigen was applied to the dorsal skin of 3-week-old NC/Nga mice. After inducing AD, Douchi extract was administered 20 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks to the Douchi-treated mice group. We identified the changes of skin barrier and Th2 differentiation through PKC and IL-4 by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Douchi treatment of NC/Nga mice significantly reduced clinical scores (p < 0.01) and histological features. The levels of PKC and IL-4 were significantly reduced in the Douchi-treated group (p < 0.01). The reduction of IL-4 and PKC led to decrease of inflammatory factors such as substance P, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) (all p < 0.01). Douchi also down-regulated Th1 markers (IL-12, TNF-α) as well as Th2 markers (IL-4, p-IκB) (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Douchi alleviates AD-like skin lesions through suppressing of PKC and IL-4. These results also lead to diminish levels of substance P, iNOS and MMP-9 in skin lesions. Therefore, Douchi may have potential applications for the prevention and treatment of AD.
authors: Department of Korean Pediatrics, Hospital of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.
authors: A-Ram
authors: AR
authors: Jung
authors: Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, 65 Semyung-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 27136, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sang-Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Ahn
authors: Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38066, Republic of Korea.
authors: In-Sik
authors: IS
authors: Park
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, 65 Semyung-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 27136, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sun-Young
authors: SY
authors: Park
authors: Jeonju AgroBio-Materials Institute, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54810, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung-Il
authors: SI
authors: Jeong
authors: Department of Korean Pediatrics, Hospital of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.|Department of Korean Pediatrics, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, 49 Pusandaehak-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jin-Hong
authors: JH
authors: Cheon
authors: Department of Korean Pediatrics, Hospital of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea. kkb2630@gmail.com.|Department of Korean Pediatrics, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, 49 Pusandaehak-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, Republic of Korea. kkb2630@gmail.com.
authors: Kibong
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5724-4653
authors: K
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism*; D005998:Glycine / Q000737:chemistry*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations; D015847:Interleukin-4; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D005998:Glycine
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Douchi; Fermented soybean; PKC; Th2 cytokine