Immunohistochemical investigation of galectin-3 in the skin of mice applied with Origanum hypericifolium essential oil and irradiated with ultraviolet B.

AIM To demonstrate galectin-3-immunoreactivity in the undiluted essential oil of Origanum hypericifolium when applied to the ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiated skin of mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Female BALB/c mice were allocated to 4 groups, each comprising 6 mice (Group 1: control; Group 2: UVB irradiated control; Group 3: undiluted O. hypericifolium essential oil applied; Group 4: undiluted O. hypericifolium essential oil applied before UVB irradiation). One week prior to UVB irradiation, the undiluted O. hypericifolium essential oil was applied to, the shaved dorsal skin of mice 3 times a week. Subsequently, the mice were irradiated 3 times per week with UVB (week 1: 50 mJ/cm2, week 2: 70 mJ/cm2, and weeks 3 and 4: 80 mJ/cm2) for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, immunohistochemical staining for galectin-3 was performed on frozen sections of skin specimens, and then they were photographed. RESULTS Numerous galectin-3-immunoreactive cells, whichwere considered to be immune system cells, were observed in the dermis of Group 3. CONCLUSION It is suggested that undiluted O. hypericifolium essential oil may cause an increase in the galectin-3-immunoreactive cells. However, there is a need to research these findings with further molecular analyses.