College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jul 14;136(3):406-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.024. Epub 2010 Dec 22.
The bark of Alnus species has long been used in traditional oriental medicine in the treatment of many pathological conditions, including fever, hemorrhage, diarrhea, alcoholism, various skin diseases (e.g. chronic herpes, eczema and prurigo), and inflammation. In order to assess the immunomodulatory efficacy of a novel herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis, we measured serum levels of several allergic and inflammatory biomarkers in NC/Nga mice before and after treatment with this experimental agent.
Gene and protein expression analyses of iNOS and COX-2 were quantified by real time PCR and Western blot analysis and serum levels of IL-4, -5 and -13 were also measured by ELISA, all of which were reduced after treatment with the experimental agent. Additionally, serum concentrations of IgE and blood eosinophil counts were reduced in treated mice.
The topical application of leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica suppressed the development of AD-like skin lesions. The percent of blood eosinophils was decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica. The serum IgE and Th2-related cytokine levels were decreased after treatment with leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica compared with those treated with base cream (vehicle treated AD group). The IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were lower than those of vehicle treated AD group.
We contend that leaf and bark extract from Alnus japonica may prove useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other allergic skin diseases, although more in-depth clinical studies are necessary before clinical implementation.
在传统东方医学中，杨柳科植物的树皮一直被用于治疗多种病理状况，包括发热、出血、腹泻、酒精中毒、各种皮肤病（如慢性疱疹、湿疹和瘙痒症）和炎症。为了评估一种新型草药在治疗特应性皮炎方面的免疫调节功效，我们在使用该实验药物治疗前后，测量了 NC/Nga 小鼠的几种过敏和炎症生物标志物的血清水平。
通过实时 PCR 和 Western blot 分析定量测定 iNOS 和 COX-2 的基因和蛋白表达，通过 ELISA 测量血清中 IL-4、-5 和-13 的水平，所有这些在使用实验药物治疗后均降低。此外，治疗组小鼠的血清 IgE 和血嗜酸性粒细胞计数降低。
从日本柳树叶和树皮提取物的局部应用抑制了类似 AD 的皮肤损伤的发展。与基础乳膏（对照 AD 组）相比，经日本柳树叶和树皮提取物治疗后，血液嗜酸性粒细胞的百分比降低。与基础乳膏（对照 AD 组）相比，经日本柳树叶和树皮提取物治疗后，血清 IgE 和 Th2 相关细胞因子水平降低。IL-4、IL-5 和 IL-13 低于对照 AD 组。
我们认为，日本柳树叶和树皮提取物可能对特应性皮炎和其他过敏性皮肤病的治疗有用，但在临床应用之前，还需要进行更深入的临床研究。
