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/cm^2, and weeks 3 and 4: 80 mJ/cm^2) 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, which were 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.