Abstract
Epicutaneously administered chemical antigens like 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), evoke an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like dermatitis reaction in NC/Nga mice under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions. Astragalus membranaceus (AM), is a popular herbal medicine used to treat allergic diseases in East Asia. In the present study, we examined whether AM suppress AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice treated with DNFB under SPF conditions. Oral administration of AM to DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was found to inhibit ear thickness increases and the skin lesions induced by DNFB. Moreover, IFN-γ production by CD4 + T cells from the lymph nodes of DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice was significantly inhibited by AM treatment, although levels of IL-4 and total IgE in serum were not. Study findings suggest that AM may suppress the development of AD-like dermatitis in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice by reducing IFN-γ production.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1468-1471 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 Aug |
Keywords
- 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)
- Astragalus membranaceus
- Atopic dermatitis
- NC/Nga mice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical Science