Effects of Skin Inflammation Related Cytokine on Mentha arvensis Ethanol Extract (MT)

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the effects of the ethanol extract of <i>Mentha arvensis</i> on skin inflammation and anti-allergic effect in various cell lines; human fibroblast cells (hFCs), human mast cells (HMC-1) and human monocytic cells (THP-1) cells. Treatment with <i>Mentha arvensis</i> extract at a concentration of 250 ㎍/㎖ for 24h showed no significant decrease in the survival rate of the hFCs, HMC-1, THP-1. The final concentration was set at 200 ㎍/㎖ or less. <i>Mentha arvensis</i> extract significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8, and IL-6 at 200 ㎍/㎖ in HMC-1 cells. <i>Mentha arvensis</i> extract treatment significantly inhibited the protein expression of IL-6 and, IL-8 induced by mite at 200 ㎍/㎖ in THP-1 cells. We examined the alternation of histamine release in HMC-1 cells for investigating anti-allergic effect of <i>Mentha arvensis</i>. Histamine secretion was significantly decreased at 200 ㎍/㎖, 100 ㎍/㎖ after the treatment with <i>Mentha arvensis</i>. In addition, <i>Mentha arvensis</i> extract treatment at a concentration of 50 ㎍/㎖, 100 ㎍/㎖, and 200 ㎍/㎖ lowered the β-hexosaminidase to 10.3%, 21.7%, and 50.8%, respectively. IC50 of <i>Mentha arvensis</i> extract in RBL-2H3 cells was 196.85 ㎍/㎖. The activity of NF-κB promoter cells significantly decreased at 200 ㎍/㎖, 100 ㎍/㎖ after the dose-dependent treatment of <i>Mentha arvensis</i>. Therefore, our results indicate that <i>Mentha arvensis</i> has anti-inflammatory and it may be useful for treating skin barrier damage, which is problematic in allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.