Baicalein protects normal human epidermal keratinocytes against bullous pemphigoid immunoglobulin G-induced alteration.

BACKGROUND: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune bullous dermatosis in the elderly, with immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies playing a major role in its pathogenesis. Kampo medicine has been used to ameliorate BP.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether baicalein, a major compound in Ou-gon, a crude drug used in Kampo medicine, protects normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) against BP-IgG-induced damage.

METHODS: Microscopic examination of living cells, ELISA, a SYTOX green uptake assay, and an intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation assay were used to determine the effects of baicalein on BP-IgG-induced cell damage.

RESULTS: We found that 2 mg-mL-1 BP-IgG induced cell detachment, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production, and intracellular ROS accumulation in NHEKs. In contrast, these BP-IgG-induced reactions were significantly prevented by 100 μg-mL-1 baicalein in NHEKs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the evidences that traditional Kampo medicine containing baicalein is efficacious against BP.