Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Therapeutic Benefits of Natural Ingredients for Atopic Dermatitis

  • Review
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although a variety of regimens are available for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), severe adverse reactions and unpopular costs often limit their usage. In contrast, certain inexpensive, naturally-occurring ingredients are proven effective for AD with fewer side effects. The beneficial effects of these ingredients can be attributed to inhibition of cytokine and chemokine expression, IgE production, inflammatory cell infiltration, histamine release, and/or the enhancement of epidermal permeability barrier function. Since herbal medicines are widely available, inexpensive and generally safe, they could be valuable alternatives for the treatment of AD, particularly for those patients who are not suitable for the utilization of immune modulators. In this review, we summarize the therapeutic benefits of natural ingredients for the treatment of AD and the mechanisms of their actions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Baek JO, Hong S, Son DK, Lee JR, Roh JY, Kwon HJ. Analysis of the prevalence and risk factors for atopic dermatitis using an ISAAC questionnaire in 8,750 Korean children. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2013;162:79–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shaw TE, Currie GP, Koudelka CW, Simpson EL. Eczema prevalence in the United States: data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health. J Invest Dermatol 2011;131:67–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yu JS, Lee CJ, Lee HS, Kim J, Han Y, Ahn K, et al. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Korea: analysis by using national statistics. J Kor Med Sci 2012;27:681–685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Monti F, Agostini F, Gobbi F, Neri E, Schianchi S, Arcangeli F. Quality of life measures in Italian children with atopic dermatitis and their families. Ital J Pediatr 2011;37:59.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Ben-Gashir MA, Seed PT, Hay RJ. Are quality of family life and disease severity related in childhood atopic dermatitis? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2002;16:455–462.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ben-Gashir MA, Seed PT, Hay RJ. Quality of life and disease severity are correlated in children with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 2004;150:284–290.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kiebert G, Sorensen SV, Revicki D, Fagan SC, Doyle JJ, Cohen J, et al. Atopic dermatitis is associated with a decrement in health-related quality of life. Int J Dermatol 2002;41:151–158.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Fivenson D, Arnold RJ, Kaniecki DJ, Cohen JL, Frech F, Finlay AY. The effect of atopic dermatitis on total burden of illness and quality of life on adults and children in a large managed care organization. J Manag Care Pharm 2002;8:333–342.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Suh DC, Sung J, Gause D, Raut M, Huang J, Choi IS. Economic burden of atopic manifestations in patients with atopic dermatitis—analysis of administrative claims. J Manag Care Pharm 2007;13:778–789.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Fowler JF, Duh MS, Rovba L, Buteau S, Pinheiro L, Lobo F, et al. The direct and indirect cost burden of atopic dermatitis: an employer-payer perspective. Manag Care Interface 2007;20:26–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Yasukochi Y, Nakahara T, Abe T, Kido-Nakahara M, Kohda F, Takeuchi S, et al. Reduction of serum TARC levels in atopic dermatitis by topical anti-inflammatory treatments. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2014;32:240–245.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Woods MT, Brown PA, Baig-Lewis SF, Simpson EL. Effects of a novel formulation of fluocinonide 0.1% cream on skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol 2011;10:171–176.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Correale CE, Walker C, Murphy L, Craig TJ. Atopic dermatitis: a review of diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician 1999;60:1191–1198, 1209–1210.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Simon D, Bieber T. Systemic therapy for atopic dermatitis. Allergy 2014;69:46–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Patel L, Clayton PE, Addison GM, Price DA, David TJ. Adrenal function following topical steroid treatment in children with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 1995;132:950–955.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ellison JA, Patel L, Ray DW, David TJ, Clayton PE. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and glucocorticoid sensitivity in atopic dermatitis. Pediatrics 2000;105:794–799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Misra DP, Parida JR, Chowdhury AC, Agarwal V. Pulmonary co-infection with Nocardia and Aspergillus in a patient with adult-onset Still’s disease receiving steroids and tacrolimus. BMJ Case Rep 2014;2014.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gooskens J, van der Ploeg V, Sukhai RN, Vossen A, Claas E, Kroes A. Clinical evaluation of viral acute respiratory tract infections in children presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary referral hospital in the Netherlands. BMC Pediatr 2014;14:297.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Dix D, Cellot S, Price V, Gillmeister B, Ethier MC, Johnston DL, et al. Association between corticosteroids and infection, sepsis, and infectious death in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML): results from the Canadian infections in AML research group. Clin Infect Dis 2012;55:1608–1614.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Schoepe S, Schäcke H, May E, Asadullah K. Glucocorticoid therapy-induced skin atrophy. Exp Dermatol 2006;15:406–420.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kolbe L, Kligman AM, Schreiner V, Stoudemayer T. Corticosteroidinduced atrophy and barrier impairment measured by non-invasive methods in human skin. Skin Res Technol 2001;7:73–77.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Coureau B, Bussières JF, Tremblay S. Cushing’s syndrome induced by misuse of moderate-to high-potency topical corticosteroids. Ann Pharmacother 2008;42:1903–1907.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kao JS, Fluhr JW, Man MQ, Fowler AJ, Hachem JP, Crumrine D, et al. Short-term glucocorticoid treatment compromises both permeability barrier homeostasis and stratum corneum integrity: inhibition of epidermal lipid synthesis accounts for functional abnormalities. J Invest Dermatol 2003;120:456–464.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Choi EH, Demerjian M, Crumrine D, Brown BE, Mauro T, Elias PM, et al. Glucocorticoid blockade reverses psychological stressinduced abnormalities in epidermal structure and function. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2006;29:R1657–R1662.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gong JQ, Lin L, Lin T, Hao F, Zeng FQ, et al. Skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis and relevant combined topical therapy: a doubleblind multicentre randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol 2006;155:680–687.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Ong PY, Ohtake T, Brandt C, Strickland I, Boguniewicz M, Ganz T, et al. Endogenous antimicrobial peptides and skin infections in atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1151–1160.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Rieg S, Steffen H, Seeber S, Humeny A, Kalbacher H, Dietz K, et al. Deficiency of dermcidin-derived antimicrobial peptides in sweat of patients with atopic dermatitis correlates with an impaired innate defense of human skin in vivo. J Immunol 2005;174:8003–8010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Elias PM, Schmuth M. Abnormal skin barrier in the etiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2009;9:265–272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Scharschmidt TC, Man MQ, Hatano Y, Crumrine D, Gunathilake R, Sundberg JP, et al. Filaggrin deficiency confers a paracellular barrier abnormality that reduces inflammatory thresholds to irritants and haptens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;124:496–506.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Böttiger Y, Brattström C, Tydén G, Säwe J, Groth CG. Tacrolimus whole blood concentrations correlate closely to side-effects in renal transplant recipients. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1999;48:445–448.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Kemper MJ, Spartà G, Laube GF, Miozzari M, Neuhaus TJ. Neuropsychologic side-effects of tacrolimus in pediatric renal transplantation. Clin Transplant 2003;17:130–134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Remitz A, Harper J, Rustin M, Goldschmidt WF, Palatsi R, van der Valk PG, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children. Acta Derm Venereol 2007;87:54–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Czarnecka-Operacz M, Jenerowicz D. Topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of atopic dermatitis—an update on safety issues. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2012;10:167–172.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kim M, Jung M, Hong SP, Jeon H, Kim MJ, Cho MY, et al. Topical calcineurin inhibitors compromise stratum corneum integrity, epidermal permeability and antimicrobial barrier function. Exp Dermatol 2010;19:501–510.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Guttman-Yassky E, Dhingra N, Leung DY. New era of biologic therapeutics in atopic dermatitis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013;13:549–561.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Moustou AE, Matekovits A, Dessinioti C, Antoniou C, Sfikakis PP, Stratigos AJ. Cutaneous side effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor biologic therapy: a clinical review. J Am Acad Dermatol 2009;61:486–504.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hon KL, Ma KC, Wong Y, Leung TF, Fok TF. A survey of traditional Chinese medicine use in children with atopic dermatitis attending a paediatric dermatology clinic. J Dermatolog Treat 2005;16:154–157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Loh CH. Use of traditional Chinese medicine in Singapore children: perceptions of parents and paediatricians. Singapore Med J 2009;50:1162–1168.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Man MQ, Hu LZ, Elias PM. Herbal medicines prevent the development of atopic dermatitis by multiple mechanisms. Chin J Integr Med 2016; Jan 6 [Epub ahead of print].

    Google Scholar 

  40. Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Ghoreishi MR. The treatment of atopic dermatitis with licorice gel. J Dermatolog Treat 2003;14:153–157.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Angelova-Fischer I, Neufang G, Jung K, Fischer TW, Zillikens D. A randomized, investigator-blinded efficacy assessment study of stand-alone emollient use in mild to moderately severe atopic dermatitis flares. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2014;28:9–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Marini A, Reinelt K, Krutmann J, Bilstein A. Ectoine-containing cream in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomised, comparator-controlled, intra-individual doubleblind, multi-center trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2014;27:57–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Schempp CM, Windeck T, Hezel S, Simon JC. Topical treatment of atopic dermatitis with St. John’s wort cream: a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind half-side comparison. Phytomedicine 2003;10:31–37.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Al-Waili NS. Topical application of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis: partially controlled, single-blinded study. Complement Ther Med 2003;11:226–234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Lee J, Jung E, Park B, Jung K, Park J, Kim K, et al. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and atopic dermatitis-mitigating effects of BSASM, a multicompound preparation. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;96:211–219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. De Belilovsky C, Roo-Rodriguez E, Baudouin C, Menu F, Chadoutaud B, Msika P. Natural peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-alpha agonist cream demonstrates similar therapeutic response to topical steroids in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2011;22:359–365.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Msika P, De Belilovsky C, Piccardi N, Chebassier N, Baudouin C, Chadoutaud B. New emollient with topical corticosteroid-sparing effect in treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis: SCORAD and quality of life improvement. Pediatr Dermatol 2008;25:606–612.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Tsoureli-Nikita E, Hercogova J, Lotti T, Menchini G. Evaluation of dietary intake of vitamin E in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a study of the clinical course and evaluation of the immunoglobulin E serum levels. Int J Dermatol 2002;41:146–150.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, Siassi F, Eshraghian MR, Firooz A, et al. Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2011;22:144–150.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Lovell CR, Burton JL, Horrobin DF. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil. Lancet 1981;1:278.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Wright S, Burton JL. Oral evening-primrose-seed oil improves atopic eczema. Lancet 1982;2:1120–1122.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Senapati S, Banerjee S, Gangopadhyay DN. Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2008;74:447–452.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Berth-Jones J, Graham-Brown RA. Placebo-controlled trial of essential fatty acid supplementation in atopic dermatitis. Lancet 1993;341:1557–1560.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Bamford JT, Gibson RW, Renier CM. Atopic eczema unresponsive to evening primrose oil (linoleic and gammalinolenic acids). J Am Acad Dermatol 1985;13:959–965.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Hederos CA, Berg A. Epogam evening primrose oil treatment in atopic dermatitis and asthma. Arch Dis Child 1996;75:494–497.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Eriksen BB, Kåre DL. Open trial of supplements of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2006;17:82–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Henz BM, Jablonska S, van de Kerkhof PC, Stingl G, Blaszczyk M, Vandervalk PG, et al. Double-blind, multicentre analysis of the efficacy of borage oil in patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1999;140:685–688.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Takwale A, Tan E, Agarwal S, Barclay G, Ahmed I, Hotchkiss K, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial. BMJ 2003;327:1385.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Atherton DJ, Sheehan MP, Rustin MH, Whittle B, Guy G. Treatment of atopic eczema with traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Pediatr Dermatol 1992;9:373–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Hon KL, Leung TF, Wong Y, Lam WK, Guan DQ, Ma KC, et al. A pentaherbs capsule as a treatment option for atopic dermatitis in children: an open-labeled case series. Am J Chin Med 2004;32:941–950.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Hon KL, Lo W, Cheng WK, Leung TF, Chow CM, Lau CB, et al. Prospective self-controlled trial of the efficacy and tolerability of a herbal syrup for young children with eczema. J Dermatolog Treat 2012;23:116–121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Li S, Kuchta K, Tamaru N, Lin Y, Iwasaki S, Wang R, et al. Efficacy of a novel herbal multicomponent traditional Chinese medicine therapy approach in patients with atopic dermatitis. Forschende Komplementarmedizin 2013;20:189–196.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Sheehan MP, Atherton DJ. A controlled trial of traditional Chinese medicinal plants in widespread non-exudative atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1992;126:179–184.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Sheehan MP, Rustin MH, Atherton DJ, Buckley C, Harris DW, Brostoff J, et al. Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in adult atopic dermatitis. Lancet 1992;340:13–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Hon KL, Leung TF, Ng PC, Lam MC, Kam WY, Wong KY, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a Chinese herbal medicine concoction for treatment of atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Dermatol 2007;157:357–363.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Cheng HM, Chiang LC, Jan YM, Chen GW, Li TC. The efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal product (Xiao-Feng-San) for the treatment of refractory atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2011;155:141–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Sheehan MP, Atherton DJ. One-year follow up of children treated with Chinese medicinal herbs for atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1994;130:488–493.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Sheehan MP, Stevens H, Ostlere LS, Atherton DJ, Brostoff J, Rustin MH. Follow-up of adult patients with atopic eczema treated with Chinese herbal therapy for 1 year. Clin Exp Dermatol 1995;20:136–140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Fung AY, Look PC, Chong LY, But PP, Wong E. A controlled trial of traditional Chinese herbal medicine in Chinese patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. Int J Dermatol 1999;38:387–392.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Latchman Y, Banerjee P, Poulter LW, Rustin M, Brostoff J. Association of immunological changes with clinical efficacy in atopic eczema patients treated with traditional Chinese herbal therapy (Zemaphyte). Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1996;109:243–249.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Shapira MY, Raphaelovich Y, Gilad L, Or R, Dumb AJ, Ingber A. Treatment of atopic dermatitis with herbal combination of Eleutherococcus, Achillea millefolium, and Lamium album has no advantage over placebo: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2005;52:691–693.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Choi IH, Kim S, Kim Y, Yun Y. The effect of TJ-15 plus TJ-17 on atopic dermatitis: a pilot study based on the principle of pattern identification. J Altern Complement Med 2012;18:576–582.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  73. Xu XJ, Banerjee P, Rustin MH, Poulter LW. Modulation by Chinese herbal therapy of immune mechanisms in the skin of patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol 1997;136:54–59.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Banerjee P, Xu XJ, Poulter LW, Rustin MH. Changes in CD23 expression of blood and skin in atopic eczema after Chinese herbal therapy. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:306–314.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Elias PM, Steinhoff M. "Outside-to-inside" (and now back to "outside") pathogenic mechanisms in atopic dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128:1067–1070.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Man MQ, Jeong SK, Park BD, Elias PM. Preventive and therapeutic benefits of enhancing epidermal permeability barrier function for AD. Chin J Dermatol 2015;48:71–74.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Darmstadt GL, Mao-Qiang M, Chi E, Saha SK, Ziboh VA, Black RE, et al. Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries. Acta Paediatr 2002;91:546–554.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Danby SG, AlEnezi T, Sultan A, Lavender T, Chittock J, Brown K, et al. Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatr Dermatol 2013;30:42–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Gehring W, Bopp R, Rippke F, Gloor M. Effect of topically applied evening primrose oil on epidermal barrier function in atopic dermatitis as a function of vehicle. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1999;49:635–642.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Puch F, Samson-Villeger S, Guyonnet D, Blachon JL, Rawlings AV, Lassel T. Consumption of functional fermented milk containing borage oil, green tea and vitamin E enhances skin barrier function. Exp Dermatol 2008;17:668–674.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Morales J, Homey B, Vicari AP, Hudak S, Oldham E, Hedrick J, et al. CTACK, a skin-associated chemokine that preferentially attracts skin-homing memory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1999;96:14470–14475.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Reiss Y, Proudfoot AE, Power CA, Campbell JJ, Butcher EC. CC chemokine receptor (CCR)4 and the CCR10 ligand cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK) in lymphocyte trafficking to inflamed skin. J Exp Med 2001;194:1541–1547.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Imai T, Chantry D, Raport CJ, Wood CL, Nishimura M, Godiska R, et al. Macrophage-derived chemokine is a functional ligand for the CC chemokine receptor 4. J Biol Chem 1998;273:1764–1768.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Godiska R, Chantry D, Raport CJ, Sozzani S, Allavena P, Leviten D, et al. Human macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), a novel chemoattractant for monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. J Exp Med 1997;185:1595–1604.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Kakinuma T, Saeki H, Tsunemi Y, Fujita H, Asano N, Mitsui H, et al. Increased serum cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CCL27) levels in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:592–597.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Kakinuma T, Nakamura K, Wakugawa M, Mitsui H, Tada Y, Saeki H, et al. Serum macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels are closely related with the disease activity of atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2002;127:270–273.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Kakinuma T, Nakamura K, Wakugawa M, Mitsui H, Tada Y, Saeki H, et al. Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in atopic dermatitis: serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine level is closely related with disease activity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:535–541.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Leung TF, Wong KY, Wong CK, Fung KP, Lam CW, Fok TF, et al. In vitro and clinical immunomodulatory effects of a novel Pentaherbs concoction for atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 2008;158:1216–1223.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Chan BC, Hon KL, Leung PC, Sam SW, Fung KP, Lee MY, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: PentaHerbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;120:85–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Chung LY. Antioxidant profiles of a prepared extract of Chinese herbs for the treatment of atopic eczema. Phytother Res 2008;22:493–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Kirby AJ, Schmidt RJ. The antioxidant activity of Chinese herbs for eczema and of placebo herbs—I. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;56:103–108.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Omata N, Tsukahara H, Ito S, Ohshima Y, Yasutomi M, Yamada A, et al. Increased oxidative stress in childhood atopic dermatitis. Life Sci 2001;69:223–228.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Tsukahara H, Shibata R, Ohshima Y, Todoroki Y, Sato S, Ohta N, et al. Oxidative stress and altered antioxidant defenses in children with acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. Life Sci 2003;72:2509–2516.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Oh SY, Chung J, Kim MK, Kwon SO, Cho BH. Antioxidant nutrient intakes and corresponding biomarkers associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis in young children. Eur J Clin Nutr 2010;64:245–252.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Ventura A, Ciana G, Florean P, Longo F, Longo G. The effect of bacterial infection in the worsening of atopic dermatitis: correlations with humoral immunologic patterns. Ann Allergy 1989;63:121–126.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Gong JQ, Lin L, Lin T, Hao F, Zeng FQ, Bi ZG, et al. Skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis and relevant combined topical therapy: a double-blind multicentre randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol 2006;155:680–687.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Huang JT, Abrams M, Tlougan B, Rademaker A, Paller AS. Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis decreases disease severity. Pediatrics 2009;123:e808–e814.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Al-Waili NS. Mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil inhibits growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Arch Med Res 2005;36:10–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Services, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA

    George Man, Peter M Elias & Mao-qiang Man

  2. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China

    Li-zhi Hu

Authors
  1. George Man
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li-zhi Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter M Elias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mao-qiang Man
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mao-qiang Man.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Man, G., Hu, Lz., Elias, P.M. et al. Therapeutic Benefits of Natural Ingredients for Atopic Dermatitis. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 24, 308–314 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2769-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-017-2769-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation