Effects of tyndallized lactic acid bacteria separated from Phellinus linteus on inflammation and skin barrier damage induced by DNCB

The fruiting bodies of the Sanghwang mushroom (Phellinus linteus) have a long history of use in traditional medicine throughout Asia, particularly in Korea, Japan, and China. In this study, we investigated the effects of tyndallized lactic acid bacteria isolated from P. linteus (PL-tLB) in experimental models of atopic dermatitis (AD). HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ and subsequently treated with PL-tLB. PL-tLB suppressed inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression in a concentration-dependent manner. We further evaluated PL-tLB in a DNCB-induced AD-like mouse model. DNCB increased ear thickness and mast cell infiltration, whereas PL-tLB administration attenuated these changes. Real-time PCR analysis of ear tissue showed reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and partial recovery of genes associated with the skin barrier and tight junctions following PL-tLB administration. These preclinical findings indicate that PL-tLB may have potential as a functional material for supporting the management of AD-like inflammation and skin-barrier disruption. However, the active bacterial components and the respective contributions of the two constituent strains remain to be determined.