Suppressive Effect of Oren-gedoku-to (Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang) on the Production of Superantigen by Staphylococcus aureus.

Accession number;02A0404956
Title;Suppressive Effect of Oren-gedoku-to (Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang) on the Production of Superantigen by Staphylococcus aureus.
Author; YOSHIMURA-MISHIMA M (Kansai Medical Univ.) AKAMATSU H (Kansai Medical Univ.) ADACHI Y (Kansai Medical Univ.) HORIO T (Kansai Medical Univ.)
Journal Title;Japanese Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Journal Code:Z0947A
ISSN:0386-3603
VOL.30;NO.3;PAGE.225-230(2002)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.2, TBL.1, REF.30
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;English
Abstract;Background: It is well known that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) proliferates on the moist skin lesion of atopic dermatitis. Reduction of S. aureus from skin lesions by antibacterial agent has been reported to be effective for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. S. aureus produces superantigens which can activate T cells and possibely enhance the inflammatory reaction. Decrease of superantigens from S. aureus could cause the remission of atopic dermatitis. Oren-gedoku-to, an oral Japanese kampo medicine has been used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, little is known about the mechanism of action of Oren-gedoku-to for therapy of atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Oren-gedoku-to on the production of superantigens by S. aureus isolated from atopic dermatitis patients. Methods: Oren-gedoku-to was added to the suspension of S. aureus at lower doses than minimal inhibitory concentration, and incubated 4 hrs with 100 strokes per min. After incubation, the amounts of superantigens in the supernatant were measured using ELISA kit. Results: The production of superantigens was decreased by Oren-gedoku-to in a dosedependent manner. Conclusions: The present study seems to suggest that clinical effectiveness of Oren-gedoku-to in the treatment of atopic dermatitis is due partly to it's suppressive effect on superantigen production. (author abst.)