[Immunoregulatory effect of artesunate on allergic contact dermatitis and its mechanism].

This study is to elucidate the immunoregulation mechanisms of artesunate (AST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Pharmacodynamics analyses, HE staining, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the effects of AST on the related cytokines, transcription factor and signaling molecule of ACD respectively. The results indicated that topical administration of AST not only reduced the increase of ear swelling, spleen index and inflammatory cells infiltration in ACD mice, but also inhibited remarkably the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and NF-kappaB p65.

Topical application of Pseudolaric acid B improve DNFB-induced contact hypersensitivity via regulating the balance of Th1/Th17/Treg cell subsets.

Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) is a novel diterpenoid, isolated from Pseudolarix kaempferi Gorden, which roots are widely used to treat inflammatory and microbial skin diseases for centuries, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. To address the immunoregulatory mechanisms of PAB, we first investigated the effect of PAB in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) mice. The expression of specific transcription factors for T-helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Tregs) was determined by RT-PCR, and the capacities for PAB to modulate Th1/Th17/Treg cell subsets was furtherly analyzed by flow cytometric analysis, ELISA and Western blotting assay.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms of artemisinin on contact hypersensitivity.

Artemisinin (Art) is a sesquiterpene trioxane lactone from Artemisia annua L., which has been shown to affect immune responses. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Effects of osthole on apoptosis and TGF-beta1 of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Osthole, 7-methoxy-8-[3-methylpent-2-enyl]coumarin (1), was extracted from a Chinese herb Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. It showed immunity strengthening, anti-tumor, anti-hepatitis, and anti-osteoporosis activities in previous studies.

Effects of PLAB on apoptosis and Smad signal pathway of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.

Pseudolaric acid-B (PLAB), a diterpene acid, was isolated from the root and trunk barks of Pseudolarix kaempferi. It has shown antifungal and anti-fertility effects and cytotoxic activities in previous studies. Our goals are to study the effects of PLAB on cell proliferation and Smad signal pathway of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.