CHIZUKO HIOKI，Ph.D.Department of Oriental Medicine，Tokai University School of medicine，Shimokasuya Kanagawa，259－1193，Japan

Herbal Ointment Improves Troubles in Atopic Dermatitis in Not Only NC/Nga Mice Also Atopic Dermatitis Patients.－W hich iMpressions of the ointments stimulate patients?－

CHIZUKO HIOKI，Ph.D.
Department of Oriental Medicine，Tokai University School of medicine，Shimokasuya Kanagawa，259－1193，Japan

Background:A subsetof common chronic skin condition demonstrates severe atopic dermatitis that is refractory to conventional treatment with topical steroids.The patients on atopic dermatitis(AD)using the Oukou(黃膏;a novel herbal ointment)has been shown improved skin condition and better quality of life (QOL).Objective and Methods:This study aimed to show the effect，in mental and skin conditions，of the administration of Ou－kou on atopic dermatitis patients.And atopic dermatitis model，NC/Nga mice with induced with Dermatophagoides farinae(Df)also were evaluated by dermatitis scores，skin histology and immunological parameters.20 Female NC/Nga purchased froMCharles River Japan(Yokohama，Japan)were anesthetizes with ether and their hairs on the upper back were shaved with a shaver.Barrier disruption was achieved by 150μl of 4%sodiuMdodecyl sulfate treatment on the shaved dorsal skin and the surface of each ear 3 hours before the Df ointment application.These procedures were repeated twice a week.In which 10 mice were treated with Ou－kou and another 10 mice were not treated.Ou－kou was composed with 4 kinds of herbal ether extracts(Scutellariae Radix，Phellodendri Cortex，Coptidis Rhizoma and Artemisia Princeps)， which prepared with olive oil，white beeswax and horse tallow.It was applied one time a day for 3 weeks.The severity of dermatitis was evaluated once a week，just before each elication.Portion of the dorsal skin were fixed with 10%neutral formalin，embedded in paraffin and sectioned at 4μm.Sections were stained with hematoxylin－eosin.Othermore a severe AD patient applied the ointment twice daily for 18 months.The positive influence of the fragrance was examined by sense impressions of 58 subjects.Results:Ou－kou applied mice showed，after trial，the hair on their back came out comparing with control.The dermatitis scores in Ou－kou applicated mice group and no－treated group were compared.The each group score of Erythema was shown improvementafter3 weeks.The IgE level in treated group more decreased than un－treatment group.In the case of AD patients，skin condition and QOL had much better changed with treatments of Ou－kou.Conclusion:This study was suggested that the administration of Ou－kou may be effective in inhibiting the development of atopic like skin lesion and improve QOL of dermatitis patients，also might be through fragrance stimulation，through tactile and visual impressions.