An experimental study for the development of therapeutic for the treatment of
atopic dermatitis


Kim Gun-Woo
Dept. of Oriental Medicine
Graduate School, Daejeon University
(Directed by Prof. Kim Dong-Hee, O.M.D., Ph. D.)



Abstract
Objectives : Atotang was prepared using ten different types of traditional medicinal herb. This research was performed to examine the biological effects of Atotang and to provide scientific basis for using Atotang as a prescription medicine for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Methods : Atotang was extracted with 80% EtOH. Free radical scavenging assay has been tested for anti-oxidative activity as well as the contents of total polyphenol. We observed the production of ROS, nitric oxide(NO) and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta(IL-β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Cells were treated with Atotang, and the expression of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2 in activated RAW 264.7 cells were measured. We used Disc diffusion method to investigate antibacterial activity against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.
Result : Content of total phenolic compound of Atotang was 36.3 mg/g extract. DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were 77% and 46% at 200 ㎍/㎖ respectively, showing dose-dependent increase. The levels of ROS and NO in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased by 30% and 19% upon 200 ㎍/㎖ Atotang treatment, respectively, showing dose-dependent decrease. Atotang inhibited expression of mRNAs of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2. The prodcution of IL-1βeta, IL-6 and TNF-αlpha in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased dose-dependently by 81%, 67%, and 20% at 200 ㎍/㎖, respectively. Atotang effectively reduced LPS-stimulated production of PGE2 by 33%. Using disc diffusion method, we observed that Atotang could effectively suppress growth of C. albicans, S. aureus and S. epidermis, where S. epidermis was suppressed the most.
Conclusion : The results above indicated that Atotang clearly has biological activities of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and antibacterial effects. Based on the present findings, we can carefully conclude that Atotang can be applied as a new prescription based therapeutic for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Key words : anti-oxidant effect, anti-inflammatory effect, antibacterial effect, atopic dermatitis