Effect of WuWeiXiaoDuYin (五味消毒饮) and its components on LFA-1 mediated leukocyte adhesion to ICAM-1.

Inflammation is one of the reactions of the body’s immune system to injury, microbes and other foreign substances. Leukocytes circulate as non-adherent cells and are recruited to the specific site of inflammation after the activation of cell adhesion molecules by pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. However, an excessive immune response such as during inflammatory dermatoses is harmful. An important phase during leukocyte infiltration is the firm adhesion of leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) of leukocytes to intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) of endothelium cells and keratinocytes as it is an important initiator of leukocyte-dependent damage to keratinocytes and can worsen uncomfortable symptoms of pruritus, edema and erythema. Western medicine like corticosteroids and immunosuppressant are commonly prescribed to treat dermatitis. However, these medications have problems with prolonged usage. As such, many turn to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an alternative for treatment. WuWeiXiaoDuYin (五味消毒饮, WWXDY), a Chinese medicinal decoction, is commonly used to treat dermatitis. Here, the anti-inflammatory effects of WWXDY and its components were investigated by studying their possible inhibitory effects on the interaction between LFA-1 and ICAM-1 using florescence labeled cell adhesion assay. The current results reveal potential usage of WWXDY in treating dermatitis.Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science