Journal of Cosmetology & Trichology

Improvement of Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects of Combined Crude Drug Extracts Including Barafu on Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Seoung Ki Jung, Kangwon kim, Keun-Young Kim, Min Yu Song, Woo-Tae Park

Introduction: Long-term use of steroid as a cure for atopic dermatitis can cause side effects. Therefore, there has been research on commercialized use of natural combined crude drug extracts as medicines recently. Against this backdrop, the study aims to investigate the clinical, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial effects of combined crude drug extracts including Barafu on atopic dermatitis patients. Methods: The combined crude drug extracts used for the study include various plant bodies such as Barafu, Phellinus linteus (SANG HWANG Mushroom) and formulated into a cream product. Analysis of anti-inflammatory effect was conducted using cell toxicity evaluation by MTT assay, and gene expression related to anti-inflammatory was measured with primers of TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α, COX (cyclooxygenase)-2 and IL (interleukin)-1β. Also, anti-bacterial activity was measured by conducting antibacterial activity for Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical effectivity evaluation was conducted through SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and patients' global assessment of clinical response, and itching sensation was assessed with 10 cm visual analogue score. Results: As a result of analysis on the anti-inflammatory effect, Ethanol (EtOH) solvent extract had little effect on the expression of inflammation genes, while Ethyl acetate (EA) and Methylene chloride (MC) solvent extracts showed decreased expression of TNF-α, COX-2 and IL-1β gene, showing anti-inflammatory effect. As for antibacterial effect, combined plant extract containing Barafu showed improved anti-bacterial activity compared to other natural single plant extracts. Also, the clinical symptom evaluation showed significant decrease in objective SCORAD index before and after treatment. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was revealed that combined plant extracts and the application products including Barafu had anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects and improvement of itchiness for atopic dermatitis patients. Therefore, follow-up studies on moisturizing effect and clinical stability for patients are expected to be contributable for atopic dermatitis medicines.