Mitigation of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-related symptoms by Terminalia chebula Retzius

Abstract

Abstract.To evaluate whether an aqueous seed extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius inhibited development of atopy in vivo, we used a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced animal model of atopic symptoms to investigate the effects of the extract. We measured CD4 + cell numbers by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and determined the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, interleukin (IL)-31, and T-bet genes, in this animal model. The data showed that a Terminalia chebula extract (100 µg/ml) exhibited strong anti-atopic activity, mediating a 52% reduction in the immune response, as measured by thickness of ear swelling, and resulting in decreased eosinophil levels in adjacent skin tissue. Collectively, the results indicate that a Terminalia chebula seed extract has potential for alleviation of atopy-like symptoms induced by DNFB in the mouse. IntroductionIt is generally accepted that the daily consumption of plantderived phytochemicals in vegetables, fruit, tea or herbal extracts may mitigate free-radical attacks (1-3). Terminalia chebula Retzius is an ethnopharmacological plant of India and Southeast Asia, and has traditionally been used as a laxative, a diuretic, and an anti-oxidative material (4-8). In addition, plant extracts have antibacterial (9,10), antiviral (11), antifungal (12) and immune modulatory activities (13,14). Recently, Lee et al (5,15) reported that an aqueous seed extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius (TcRSE) had potent anti-oxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo when tested as a hepatoprotective agent in an animal model. Atopic dermatitis is a major degenerative disease, which presents as a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a deficiency in barrier function (16). It is now well recognized that several proteases, including the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), play key roles in the immunopathology of and biological functions during progression of the disease (17). With limited exceptions, normal healthy skin does not contain or exhibit high levels of MMP activity. Thus, evaluation of enzyme activities is important in detection, prior to mitigation, of allergic reactions (18,19). However, little effort has been devoted to treatment of atopy-related disorders with natural extracts, and we thus prioritized the investigation of TcRSE as an inhibitor of anti-atopic dermatitis activity.In the present study, we initially sought immunomodulatory components in natural resources including foods and oriental herbs, and found that TcRSE was active in vitro (data not shown). We thus examined the ameliorating effects of TcRSE against 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. Biochemical and immunochemical analyses, including cytokine expression evaluation and phenotypic atopic symptoms, were performed to investigate whether TcRSE alleviated the disorder. Materials and methodsChemicals. MMP-9, anti-T-bet and interleukin (IL)-31 antiinterleukin (IL)-31 anti-IL)-31 antibodies were purchased from Cell Signaling (catalog no. 3852; Danvers, MA), Santa Cruz ...

Pharmacological Benefits of Triphala: A Perspective for Allergic Rhinitis

“…extract. As well as lesion improvement, the extract attenuated atopic markers (MMP-9 and IL-31) and eosinophil infiltration in affected and adjacent areas, respectively (Nam et al, 2011). Another interesting finding was that this extract was able to shift forward the Th1 response by attenuating IL-4 and increasing IFN-gamma in an OVA-induced allergic model (Rubab and Ali, 2016).…”

MicroRNA‑146a as a potential regulator involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis

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