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

In the present study, we examined the effects of the ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis 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 Mentha arvensis 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. Mentha arvensis extract significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8, and IL-6 at 200 ㎍/㎖ in HMC-1 cells. Mentha arvensis 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 Mentha arvensis. Histamine secretion was significantly decreased at 200 ㎍/㎖, 100 ㎍/㎖ after the treatment with Mentha arvensis. In addition, Mentha arvensis 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 Mentha arvensis 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 Mentha arvensis. Therefore, our results indicate that Mentha arvensis has anti-inflammatory and it may be useful for treating skin barrier damage, which is problematic in allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.