Danggui buxue tang inhibits 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene: induced atopic dermatitis in mice.

Li-Wen Fang,Wen-Chung Huang,Chian-Jiun Liou,Chao-Chun Cheng,Shu-Ju Wu,Tzann-Shun Hwang,Wen-Chyuan Chen

doi:10.1155/2015/672891

Abstract

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a herbal decoction that has been used in Chinese medicine to enhance qi and blood circulation. Previously, we found that DBT can suppress allergy-related asthma in mice, leading us to hypothesize that DBT might ameliorate allergy disease. In this study, we evaluated whether DBT can attenuate atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms and have an anti-inflammatory effect on AD-like mice. The dorsal skin of female mice was shaved and sensitized cutaneously (skin smear) with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Mice were then given various doses of DBT from days 14 to 29 cutaneously. DBT treatment suppressed ear swelling and skin inflammation and decreased mast cell and eosinophil infiltration into skin and ear tissue. DBT also inhibited levels of IgE and Th2-associated cytokine levels in serum. These results demonstrate that cutaneous administration of DBT reduced the development of AD-like skin lesions in mice.

Highlights

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory allergic and relapsing skin disease, and its morbidity has been increasing gradually in developing and developed countries [1]
Because AD is a disease of excessive Th2 cytokine production [11], we evaluated whether Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) has a therapeutic effect by suppressing this response in AD-like skin lesions in mice
DNCB-sensitized mice clearly manifested AD-like syndromes in the skin and ear, including edema, erythema, scarring, and excoriation compared with normal mice (Figure 2(a))

Summary

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory allergic and relapsing skin disease, and its morbidity has been increasing gradually in developing and developed countries [1]. In patients with chronic AD, the skin will gradually thicken and become rough, affecting its appearance. These pathological characteristics can interfere with mood and lifestyle [4]. Treatment of AD consists mainly of steroid cream applied to the skin [5]. Steroids are immunosuppressants and do not reduce Th2 cell function, they do suppress immunity and increase the risk of bacterial infection [6]. Long-term topically applied steroids lead to thinning of the skin and to cracking and bleeding [7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion