Effects of Lemon balm essential oil application on atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice

Authors

  • Jian-Rong Zhou Department of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan Japan
  • Eri Fujiwara Department of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
  • Yuuki Nakamura Department of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
  • Mihoko N. Nakasima Department of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
  • Kazumi Yokomizo Department of Presymptomatic Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, 4-22-1 Ikeda, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.

Keywords:

atopic dermatitis, cytokine, Lemon balm oil, IgE, mice

Abstract

Lemon balm oil has been used as anti-inflammation agent, but there has been no scientific study to date on the possible effects of Lemon balm oil on alleviating atopic dermatitis. BALB/c mice were sensitized with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene for atopic dermatitis induction. Thereafter, Lemon balm oil was applied on the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. Scratching behavior was measured. Blood and spleen were collected for measuring IgE and cytokine, respectively. Serum IgE levels were significantly lowered in 3% Lemon balm oil application group after 3-week application. The Lemon balm oil application showed a significantly lower spleenocyte interleukin-10 level and an increasing tendency in Interferon- level compared with that of saline application. Scratching frequency of the Lemon balm oil application group had a lower tendency than the control groups. This study may demonstrate Lemon balm oil’s immunoregulatory potential for alleviating atopic dermatitis through influencing of Th2 / Th1 cell activation.

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Published

31-03-2015

How to Cite

1.
Jian-Rong Zhou, Eri Fujiwara, Yuuki Nakamura, Mihoko N. Nakasima, Kazumi Yokomizo. Effects of Lemon balm essential oil application on atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice. ijp [Internet]. 2015 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 Dec. 22];7(1):46-54. Available from: https://ijp.arjournals.org/index.php/ijp/article/view/385

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2015): Jan-Mar

Section

Original Research Articles