Eujin Cho1, Sang Hyun Cho. 1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to possess various biological activities including anti-inflammatory properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of KRG on the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) using a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of KRG in trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice was assessed by measuring ear thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), total serum IgE, histologic changes of lesional skin, mRNA and protein expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, immunohistochemistry for tissue interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ. RESULTS: KRG significantly reduced ear thickness. Oral administration of KRG significantly prevented the increase in TEWL induced by TNCB. The serum IgE level was significantly lower in the KRG group. Histologically, lymphocyte infiltration was markedly decreased by KRG. CD1a positive (CD1a+) cells were diminished by KRG. Immunohistochemically, KRG significantly suppressed the protein expression of TSLP and TNF-α. The mRNA expression of TSLP in the lesions was significantly reduced by KRG. These results demonstrate that oral administration of KRG may inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by modifying TSLP, DCs, and at least in part, the Th2 response. CONCLUSION: KRG may be a potential therapeutic modality for the prevention of AD.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to possess various biological activities including anti-inflammatory properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of KRG on the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) using a mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of KRG in trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice was assessed by measuring ear thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), total serum IgE, histologic changes of lesional skin, mRNA and protein expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, immunohistochemistry for tissue interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ. RESULTS: KRG significantly reduced ear thickness. Oral administration of KRG significantly prevented the increase in TEWL induced by TNCB. The serum IgE level was significantly lower in the KRG group. Histologically, lymphocyte infiltration was markedly decreased by KRG. CD1a positive (CD1a+) cells were diminished by KRG. Immunohistochemically, KRG significantly suppressed the protein expression of TSLP and TNF-α. The mRNA expression of TSLP in the lesions was significantly reduced by KRG. These results demonstrate that oral administration of KRG may inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by modifying TSLP, DCs, and at least in part, the Th2 response. CONCLUSION: KRG may be a potential therapeutic modality for the prevention of AD.
Authors: Chang Taek Oh; Jong Il Park; Yi Ra Jung; Yeon Ah Joo; Dong Ha Shin; Hyoung Joo Cho; Soo Mi Ahn; Young-Ho Lim; Chae Kyu Park; Jae Sung Hwang Journal: J Ginseng Res Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 6.060