| Abstract: | ![]()
We have established an allergic dermatitis model in NC/Nga miceby repeated local exposure of mite antigen for analyzing atopicdermatitis. We examined how four Kampo medicines, Juzen-taiho-to,Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-to, on the dermatitismodel to obtain basic information on their usefulness for treatingatopic dermatitis. Mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae crudeextract) solution at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was paintedon the ear of NC/Nga mice after tape stripping. The procedurewas repeated five times, at 7 day intervals. An apparent biphasicear swelling was caused after the fourth and fifth antigen exposureswith elevated serum IgE levels and accumulation of inflammatorycells. In the cervical lymph nodes and ear lobes, the five proceduresof antigen exposure induced interleukin-4 mRNA expression butreduced interferon- mRNA expression. Oral administration ofall four Kampo medicines inhibited the formation of ear swellingand inflammatory cell accumulation. Juzen-taiho-to and Hochu-ekki-toapparently prevented the elevation of serum IgE level. Furthermore,the four Kampo medicines showed a tendency to prevent not onlythe increase in interleukin-4 mRNA expression but also the decreasein interferon- mRNA expression. The present results indicatethat Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-tomay correct the Th1/Th2 balance skewed to Th2, and this activityhelps inhibit dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. The ability of theKampo medicines to correct the Th1/Th2 balance seems to underlietheir effectiveness in treating of atopic dermatitis. |
