Azuki bean (Vigna angularis) extract inhibits the development of experimentally induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

• Published in: Food chemistry 2012-06, Vol.132 (3), p.1269-1275
• Main Authors: Collantes, Therese Marie, Rho, Mun-Chual, Kwon, Hyoung-Jun, Jung, Bock-Gie, Alfajaro, Mia Madel, Kim, Deok-Song, Kim, Hyun-Jeong, Hosmillo, Myra, Park, Jun-Gyu, Son, Kyu-Yeol, Park, Sang-Ik, Kang, Mun-Il, Park, Su-Jin, Lee, Seung Woong, Lee, Woo-Song, Cho, Kyoung-Oh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alternative medicine; Atopic dermatitis; Azuki bean; Biological and medical sciences; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gene expression; IgE; Immune cells; immunoglobulin E; Inflammatory cytokines; ingestion; interferons; interleukins; leukocytes; mast cells; messenger RNA; mice; NC/Nga mice; skin lesions; spleen; splenocytes; tumor necrosis factors; Vigna angularis var. angularis
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.11.100

► The effects of azuki bean on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice were investigated. ► Atopic dermatitis-like lesions were induced by applying 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. ► Atopic dermatitis-like lesions were inhibited by azuki bean extract treatment. ► Production of immune cells and mediators was decreased in treated groups. ► Azuki bean extract may be an effective alternative therapy for atopic dermatitis. The present study investigated the effects of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) extract (VAE) on the progress of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice induced by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The efficacy of VAE in NC/Nga mice was determined by measuring gross and histological skin lesions, serum IgE levels, eosinophil ratio in peripheral leucocytes, and mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in splenocytes. Continuous ingestion of VAE inhibited the development of the AD-like skin lesions in a dose-dependent manner. In the VAE-treated mice, the numbers of mast cells in the skin, eosinophil ratio in peripheral leucocytes, relative mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in the spleen, and serum IgE levels were significantly reduced. Results suggest that VAE can inhibit the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by regulating immune mediators and cells, and may be an effective alternative therapy for AD.