Biomol Ther.  2014 Sep;22(5):438-444. 10.4062/biomolther.2014.023.

The Leaves of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold Inhibit Atopic Dermatitis-Like Response on Mite Allergen-Treated Nc/Nga Mice

• Lee H
• Ha H
• Lee JK
• Park SJ
• Jeong SI
• Shin HK

• KMID: 2380322
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2014.023

Abstract

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, 500 mug/mL of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.

Keyword

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold.; Atopic dermatitis; Dermatophagoides farina; TARC

MeSH Terms

Animals
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Broussonetia*
Dermatitis, Atopic
Ear
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-4
Mice*
Mites*
Plasma
Pyroglyphidae
Skin
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-4
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha