Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences (Oct 2022)

Intervention of the Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou decoction on immune imbalance in atopic dermatitis-like model mice

  • Huimin Yuan,
  • Yan Sun,
  • Yang Tang,
  • Yuxin Zhang,
  • Shuangqiao Liu,
  • Jingang Liu,
  • Shujing Zhang,
  • Yushan Gao,
  • Jing Feng,
  • Fengjie Zheng

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 4
pp. 392 – 399

Abstract

Read online

Objective: To explore the potential mechanism of intervention on the immune imbalance of atopic dermatitis (AD) by studying the effects of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou decoction (MLCD) on skin damage and inflammation factors in an AD-like mouse model. Methods: Ninety-six male BALB/c mice were divided into normal, model, positive control (mometasone furoate), and traditional Chinese medicine treatment (MLCD) groups by a random number table. 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene was used to induce AD-like mice in all groups except the normal group. The treatment or intervention was administered for seven consecutive days on days 4, 18, 32, and 39. The mRNA relative expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and the TSLP receptor (TSLPR) were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the serum immunoglobulin E, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the normal group, the hematoxylin-eosin staining of the skin lesions of the mice in the model group was significantly thickened on days 11, 25, and 39. Compared with the model group, the epidermal thickness of the positive control group was significantly alleviated on day 39 (P < .001), and that of the MLCD group was significantly improved on days 25 and 39 (P < .001). Compared with the four observation time points, MLCD had the best treatment effect on day 39 of the experiment and significantly improved the skin damage performance and relieved pathological lesions. On day 39, compared with the model group, MLCD downregulated the skin mRNA relative expressions of IL-4 (P = .009), TSLP (P = .030), and TSLPR (P < .001), and reduced the mouse serum levels of IL-4 (P = .003). For other serum indicators, no significant difference was observed between the model and MLCD groups. Conclusion: MLCD improved AD-like mice skin damage by regulating the Th1/Th2 immune imbalance.

Keywords