J Korean Med Sci.  2017 Apr;32(4):679-687. 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.4.679.

Therapeutic Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis: Anti-pruritic and Anti-inflammatory Mechanism

• Lee HJ
• Cho SH

• KMID: 2371456
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.4.679

Abstract

Korean red ginseng (KRG) and ginsenosides exhibit diverse biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of KRG in a murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) is mediated whether by diminishing the pruritus or by suppressing the inflammation. Thirty NC/Nga mice were randomly divided to 5 groups. AD-like skin lesions were induced by percutaneous challenge with 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chrolobenzene (TNCB) on the ears and backs of NC/Nga mice. KRG extract, evening primrose oil, cyclosporine, and phosphate-buffered saline were administered orally by a gastric tube. Each study group was also divided into scratching-permitted and scratching-restricted subgroups to evaluate the impact of scratching behavior on AD. The effects of KRG and the other agents were assessed by measuring the clinical severity score, ear thickness, extent of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), number of scratching movements, total systemic immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-31 levels, histologic changes of cutaneous lesions, and mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and IL-31. KRG exerts therapeutic effects against AD by inhibiting the T helper 2 (Th2) mediated inflammation as well as by diminishing the itching sensation. Moreover, restricting scratching behavior suppresses the vicious cycle of itching and scratching, thus reducing clinical and systemic inflammation in our murine model of AD.

Keyword

Dermatitis; Atopic; Panax ginseng; Pruritus

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Summary of the study design. TNCB = 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chrolobenzene, TEWL = transepidermal water loss.

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  Fig. 2 Description of mouse experiment and gross view of mice. (A) Animal groups. (B) A custom-designed plastic chamber affixed to scratching-restricted mice backs before starting the experiment. TNCB = 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chrolobenzene, PBS = phosphate-buffered saline, KRG = Korean red ginseng, EPO = evening primrose oil, AD = atopic dermatitis.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison of therapeutic effects of KRG, EPO, and cyclosporine. (A) Total clinical severity score. (B) Scratching counts. (C) The ear thickness. (D) TEWL of back. All group values are expressed as mean ± SEM. KRG = Korean red ginseng; EPO = evening primrose oil, TEWL = transepidermal water loss, SEM = standard error of the mean, ANOVA = analysis of variance, AD = atopic dermatitis. *P < 0.05 compared with the AD control group (n = 6; ANOVA). †P < 0.05 compared with the KRG group (n = 6, t-test).

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  Fig. 4 Histopathologic evaluation after repeated application of TNCB on the back of NC/Nga mice. (A) H & E staining, × 200. (B) Toluidine blue staining, × 200 for mast cell infiltration. TNCB = 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chrolobenzene, KRG = Korean red ginseng, EPO = evening primrose oil, H & E = hematoxylin and eosin, AD = atopic dermatitis.

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