Therapeutic Effects of Gyokuheifusan on NC/Nga Mouse Model of Allergic Dermatitis

Abstract

Gyokuheifusan (GHS) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat various allergic diseases; however, there is little information about its clinical efficacy or mechanism of action. We previously showed that GHS down-regulates over-production of IgE and interleukin (IL)-4 in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma, a major Th2-dominant disease. Here, we investigated the effect of GHS in an NC/Nga mouse model of atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by mite antigen. NC/Nga mice were immunized with an intradermal injection of mite antigen extract twice a week from 6 to 12 weeks of age. GHS (3.0 g/kg) was orally administered daily to the GHS-treated group for 6 weeks, and dermatitis score and total serum IgE level were measured sequentially. Spleen was harvested at 13 weeks of age, and the levels of cytokines released from splenocytes (interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and IL-5) and IgG1/IgG2a levels in sera were measured by ELISA. Mice treated with GHS showed milder dermatitis than the disease-control group and the increase of total serum IgE level tended to be suppressed by GHS. In addition, GHS treatment suppressed the production of IL-4 and IgG1, though it did not affect the production of IFN-γ and IgG2a; i.e., GHS normalized the Th1/Th2 balance. These results suggest that GHS inhibits the development and reduces the severity of AD, at least in this model.

A network pharmacology-based approach to analyse potential targets of traditional herbal formulas: An example of Yu Ping Feng decoction

“…Yu Ping Feng (YPF) decoction, a classic herbal formula, has been used in clinics to treat various diseases, such as respiratory tract infection 8 , 9 , nosocomial pneumonia 10 , chronic bronchitis 11 , and perennial allergic rhinitis 12 , 13 . As a safe and effective formula, it has been reported to relieve idiopathic sweating and augment appetite in end-stage cancer patients 14 , prevent viral infections, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome 15 , 16 , and have immunoregulatory or beneficial effects in asthma 17 , 18 , hepatic-fibrosis 19 , pulmonary-fibrosis 20 – 22 , and dermatitis models 23 . Since explanations for the clinical application of YPF decoction have not yet been illustrated by the conventional method (such as the in vitro activity assays of selected compounds) due to difficulties in the experimental design of complex systems, its underlying mechanism remains to be explored.…”

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy with Monomeric Allergoid in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis

“…Mean IgG1 to IgG2a antibody ratios were used as an indicator of Th1 or Th2 bias in immune responses [ 35 ]. The ratio of specific IgG1/IgG2a was decreased in both the OVA- and sOVA-treated groups ( Fig 3d ).…”

Natural Products and Dermatological Hypersensitivity Diseases

“…In a study on the immunomodulatory effects of the formulation on allergic asthma, it was found to reduce the severity of asthma through normalization of INFϒ/IL4 ratio (Th1/Th2 balance) (Fang et al, 2005). These results were hypothesized to extent to AD, after a 4 week oral feeding treatment placebo control study it was found that dermatitis severity scores were improved significantly, as well as IgE and the IFNϒ/IL4 balance (Nakatsukasa et al, 2009). …”