Effect of Alnus japonica extract on a model of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2011-07, Vol.136 (3), p.406-413
• Main Authors: Choi, Sun Eun, Park, Kwan Hee, Jeong, Mi Sook, Kim, Han Hyuk, Lee, Do Ik, Joo, Seong Soo, Lee, Chung Soo, Bang, Hyoweon, Choi, Young Wook, Lee, Mi-Kyung, Seo, Seong Jun, Lee, Min Won
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alcohol abuse; Alnus; Alnus japonica; Animals; Atopic dermatitis; bark; biomarkers; clinical trials; Cytokines - blood; Dermatitis, Atopic - drug therapy; Dermatitis, Atopic - immunology; Dermatitis, Atopic - pathology; Dermatologic Agents - pharmacology; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; diarrhea; Disease Models, Animal; eczema; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; eosinophils; Eosinophils - metabolism; Female; fever; gene expression; hemorrhage; herbal medicines; immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunologic Factors - pharmacology; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; Immunomodulator; inflammation; leaf extracts; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Phytotherapy; Plant Bark; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves; polymerase chain reaction; Skin - drug effects; Skin - immunology; Skin - pathology; skin lesions; Th2; Th2 Cells - metabolism; topical application; traditional medicine; Western blotting
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.024

Clinical observations of AD-like skin lesions induced in NC/Nga mice during experimental periods. Treatment with Alnus extract significantly reduced the severity of AD-like lesions induced in NC/Nga mice. PLA: hydrocortisone cream, AJ: Alnus japonica, APP: application. The bark of Alnus species has long been used in traditional oriental medicine in the treatment of many pathological conditions, including fever, hemorrhage, diarrhea, alcoholism, various skin diseases (e.g. chronic herpes, eczema and prurigo), and inflammation. In order to assess the immunomodulatory efficacy of a novel herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis, we measured serum levels of several allergic and inflammatory biomarkers in NC/Nga mice before and after treatment with this experimental agent. Gene and protein expression analyses of iNOS and COX-2 were quantified by real time PCR and Western blot analysis and serum levels of IL-4, -5 and -13 were also measured by ELISA, all of which were reduced after treatment with the experimental agent. Additionally, serum concentrations of IgE and blood eosinophil counts were reduced in treated mice. The topical application of leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica suppressed the development of AD-like skin lesions. The percent of blood eosinophils was decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica. The serum IgE and Th2-related cytokine levels were decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica compared with those treated with base cream (vehicle treated AD group). The IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were lower than those of vehicle treated AD group. We contend that leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica may prove useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases, although more in-depth clinical studies are necessary before clinical implementation.