Kampo Medicines for Mite Antigen-Induced Allergic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice.

We have established an allergic dermatitis model in NC/Nga mice by repeated local exposure of mite antigen for analyzing atopic dermatitis. We examined how four Kampo medicines, Juzen-taiho-to, Hochu-ekki-to, Shofu-san and Oren-gedoku-to, on the dermatitis model to obtain basic information on their usefulness for treating atopic dermatitis. Mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract) solution at a concentration of 10 mg/ml was painted on the ear of NC/Nga mice after tape stripping.

Establishment of allergic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice as a model for severe atopic dermatitis.

Mite antigen has been suggested to play important roles in the onset and/or development of atopic dermatitis, and mite antigen-induced dermatitis models appear beneficial for the basic study of atopic dermatitis. In the present study therefore, we attempted to establish an allergic dermatitis model in mice using Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract as an antigen. Mite antigen solution at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/ml was painted 5 times repeatedly at an interval of 7 d onto the ear of NC/Nga or BALB/c mice with or without simultaneous tape-stripping.