rosin and Disease-Models--Animal

Resin known as Resina Pini is listed in the Korean and Japanese pharmacopoeias and has been used for treating skin wounds and inflammation. Resin is composed of more than 50% abietic acid and 10% neutral substances.. In the present study, the wound-healing effects of abietic acid and the possible underlying mechanism of action were investigated in various in vitro and in vivo models.. The effects of abietic acid on tube formation and migration were measured in human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation was evaluated via Western blotting analysis. The wound-healing effects of abietic acid were assessed using a mouse model of cutaneous wounds.. The results showed that abietic acid enhanced cell migration and tube formation in HUVECs. Abietic acid induced significant angiogenic potential, which is associated with upregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 expression. Additionally, 0.8μM abietic acid-treated groups showed accelerated wound closure compared to the controls in a mouse model of cutaneous wounds.. The current data indicate that abietic acid treatment elevated cell migration and tube formation in HUVECs by the activation of ERK and p38 MAPKs. We suggest that abietic acid can be developed as a wound-healing agent.

Topics: Abietanes; Animals; Blotting, Western; Cell Movement; Disease Models, Animal; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Neovascularization, Physiologic; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Resins, Plant; Skin; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries

A commercial resin-based pine oil (PO) derived from Pinus palustris and Pinus elliottii was the major focus of this investigation. Extracts of pine resins, needles, and bark are folk medicines commonly used to treat skin ailments, including burns. The American Burn Association estimates that 500,000 people with burn injuries receive medical treatment each year; one-half of US burn victims are children, most with scald burns. This systematic study was initiated as follow-up to personal anecdotal evidence acquired over more than 10 years by MH Bhattacharyya regarding PO's efficacy for treating burns. The results demonstrate that PO counteracted dermal inflammation in both a mouse ear model of contact irritant-induced dermal inflammation and a second degree scald burn to the mouse paw. Furthermore, PO significantly counteracted the tactile allodynia and soft tissue injury caused by the scald burn. In mouse dorsal root ganglion neuronal cultures, PO added to the medium blocked adenosine triphosphate-activated, but not capsaicin-activated, pain pathways, demonstrating specificity. These results together support the hypothesis that a pine-oil-based treatment can be developed to provide effective in-home care for second degree burns.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Burns; Capsaicin; Cells, Cultured; Dermatitis; Disease Models, Animal; Ganglia, Spinal; Hyperalgesia; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred ICR; Neurons; Pain; Pinus; Plant Oils; Resins, Plant; Skin

The repeated open application test is used to assess the clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions to ingredients of formulated products. The great variation in outcome is usually claimed to be related to the concentration of the allergen responsible. We have here studied the quantitative aspects, specificity and effect of patch testing on the outcome of the repeated open application test in an animal model, using guinea pigs sensitized with cobalt chloride or colophony. Thresholds of sensitivity were determined before and after the topical treatments. Clear dose-response relationships were established. The reactivity in sham-treated controls and to the vehicles was minimal. The concordance between patch test results and outcome of the use tests was concentration-dependent and at low concentrations < 50%. The repeated open application test is a useful method, but some of the basic issues need further evaluation. This animal model will hopefully serve this purpose.

Topics: Animals; Antimutagenic Agents; Cobalt; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Guinea Pigs; Patch Tests; Reference Values; Resins, Plant; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tars

Inhalation of fumes from heated colophony (pine resin) is a recognised cause of occupational asthma, although the mechanisms by which colophony produces symptoms are unclear and specific immune responses to colophony have not been reported in sensitised workers. A study was carried out to determine whether colophony is antigenic.. The immune responses to colophony were studied in C57BL/6 mice and Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs after intraperitoneal injection of colophony conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) or human IgG by a mixed anhydride procedure. Colophony and dinitrofluorobenzene were also compared in an assay of dermal sensitisation.. Mice immunised with the colophony conjugates produced antibodies which recognised conjugates of both BSA and human IgG irrespective of which had been used as the immunogen. Solutions of unconjugated colophony inhibited the binding of antibodies to the BSA-colophony and BSA-abietic acid conjugates, confirming that the antibodies recognised one or more components in the colophony. Portuguese colophony also abrogated the antigen binding of serum from guinea pigs immunised with the BSA-colophony conjugate. Spleen cells from immunised mice proliferated in the presence of the conjugates. Although there was some cross reactivity in these responses, it was not as marked as in the antibody assays. Unconjugated colophony failed to induce an immune response when injected intraperitoneally with adjuvant. Skin sensitisation could not be induced in mice by topical application, or by subcutaneous or intradermal injection of unconjugated colophony.. Colophony components have the potential to act as haptens and an immune component could be involved in the pathogenesis of occupational asthma in workers exposed to colophony. Colophony is not readily immunogenic unless conjugated ex vivo to proteins.

Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Asthma; Disease Models, Animal; Guinea Pigs; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Occupational Diseases; Resins, Plant; Skin; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Spleen