Synergistic Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and the Conventional Systemic Therapeutics of Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model

Exogenous drug-induced mouse models of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus. AD is harmful to both children and adults, but its pathogenic mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. The development of mouse models for AD has greatly contributed to its study and treatment. Among these models, the exogenous drug-induced mouse model has shown promising results and significant advantages. Until now, a large amount of AD-related research has utilized exogenous drug-induced mouse models, leading to notable advancements in research. This indicates the crucial significance of applying such models in AD research. These models exhibit diverse characteristics and are highly complex. They involve the use of various strains of mice, diverse types of inducers, and different modeling effects. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive comparative studies on exogenous drug-induced AD mouse models, which hinders researchers' ability to choose among these models. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the features and mechanisms associated with various exogenous drug-induced mouse models, including the important role of each cytokine in AD development. It aims to assist researchers in quickly understanding models and selecting the most suitable one for further investigation.

Saengmaeksan, a traditional polyherbal formulation containing Panax ginseng, improves energy metabolism during exercise

Saengmaeksan (SMS), a representative oriental medicine that contains Panax ginseng Meyer, Liriope muscari, and Schisandra chinensis (1:2:1), is used to improve body vitality and enhance physical activity. However, there is limited scientific evidence to validate the benefits of SMS. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo regulatory effects of SMS and its constituents on energy metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanisms. For this, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, 3D holotomographic microscopy, western blotting, and glucose uptake experiments using 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) were performed using L6 cells to investigate in vitro energy metabolism changes. In addition, 18F-fluorocholine (18F-FCH) and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) analyses, immunohistochemistry, and respiratory gas analysis were performed in mice post-endurance exercise on a treadmill. In the energy metabolism of L6 cells, a significant reversal in glucose uptake was observed in the SMS-treated group, as opposed to an increase in uptake over time compared to the untreated control group. Furthermore, P. ginseng alone and SMS significantly decreased the volume of lipid droplets. SMS also regulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylation of p38, mitochondrial morphology, and the expression of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE/Ref-1) in H2O2-stimulated L6 cells. In addition, SMS treatment was found to regulate whole body and muscle energy metabolism in rats subjected to high-intensity exercise, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle. Therefore, SMS containing P. ginseng ameliorated imbalanced energy metabolism through oxidative stress-induced APE/Ref-1 expression. SMS may be a promising supplemental option for metabolic performance.

Tenebrio molitor Larva Trypsin Hydrolysate Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis in C57BL/6 Mice by Targeting the TLR-Mediated MyD88-Dependent MAPK Signaling Pathway

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widely researched chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex etiology. The increased prevalence of AD necessitates exploration of natural sources as potential therapeutic agents with limited side effects. In the current study, a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model was used to examine the anti-AD effects of Tenebrio molitor trypsin hydrolysate (TMTH) and its underlying molecular mechanism. DNCB-treated mice were treated with TMTH (1 and 10 mg/kg), and prednisolone (3 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Serum and skin tissue samples were collected for subsequent analyses. The expression levels of proteins linked to the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and serum IgE levels were estimated via Western blotting technique and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), respectively. Inflammatory cell infiltration and thickening of the dorsal skin were measured using toluidine blue and hematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. Oral administration of TMTH significantly reduced mast cell infiltration and dermal and epidermal thickness. Moreover, TMTH treatment reduced serum IgE levels. Western blotting confirmed that TMTH treatment suppressed the MyD88-dependent MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, TMTH substantially inhibited AD-like skin lesion formation via immunomodulation, showing considerable potential for AD treatment.

Dietary supplements do not improve bone morphology or mechanical properties in young female C57BL/6 mice

Bone is a hierarchical material formed by an organic extracellular matrix and mineral where each component and their physical relationship with each other contribute to fracture resistance. Bone quality can be affected by nutrition, and dietary supplements that are marketed to improve overall health may improve the fracture resistance of bone. To test this, 11 week old female C57BL/6 mice were fed either collagen, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, or fish oil 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Femurs, tibiae, and vertebrae were scanned with micro-computed tomography and then mechanically tested. Glucosamine and fish oil lowered elastic modulus, but did not alter the overall strength of the femur. There were no differences in bone mechanics of the tibiae or vertebrae. Overall, the data suggest that dietary supplements did little to improve bone quality in young, healthy mice. These supplements may be more effective in diseased or aged mice.

Studies on Bioactive Components of Red Ginseng by UHPLC-MS and Its Effect on Lipid Metabolism of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives

Red ginseng is a processed product of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, which is one of the widely used medicinal and edible herbs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ginsenosides are its main pharmacologically active ingredient. This study aims to clarify the material basis of total ginsenosides of red ginseng (RGW) and verify the activity of RGW in treating lipid metabolism disorders caused by T2DM.

Methods

An ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology was applied to quantitatively analyze RGW. A T2DM rat model was established to verify the activity of RGW in treating lipid metabolism disorders caused by diabetes. First, the changes in diabetes-related parameters were observed, then the biochemical parameters of the rat serum and liver were measured, and finally, the pathological sections of the rat liver were observed, and the content of short-chain fatty acids in stools was measured. The in vitro activity of RGW was verified by fatty degenerated HepG2 cells.

Results

A total of 10 ginsenosides were identified and quantitatively analyzed in RGW. Experimental results demonstrated that RGW can improve lipid metabolism disorders. RGW significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose and TG and TC levels in T2DM rats, and hepatic steatosis was significantly ameliorated. In vitro experiments by RGW treatment also significantly attenuated lipid deposition in HepG2 cells. RGW upregulated the content of 5 short-chain fatty acids in rat stools, which are related to lipid oxidation and liver gluconeogenesis.

Conclusion

The total RGW were quantitatively analyzed by UHPLC-MS, and its effect on lipid metabolism of T2DM was studied. The experiment demonstrated that red ginseng can regulate lipid metabolism and improve lipid deposition, which provides a promising development for red ginseng as a functional food.