Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of fermented ginseng extract by Lactobacillus brevis (FGE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated dermatitis in mice. FGE showed better anti-inflammatory activities than ginseng extract on the formation of nitric monooxide, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 within non-cytotoxicity range in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, FGE reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase through inhibiting nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Consistent with in vitro experiments, FGE dose-dependently suppressed ear edema, and formation of TNF-α and IL-6, and it (50 mg/mL) significantly enhanced IL-10 level in ear tissues of TPA-treated mice. In conclusions, FGE has anti-dermatitic activity through inhibiting the activation of macrophages. Such effects of FGE are associated with suppressing nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Therefore, the features of FGE may provide the information for its application for therapy and prevention of dermatitis.