Anti-atopic Effects of the Silkworm Feces Extracts in the NC/Nga Mice

Abstract

This study was evaluated the antiatopic activity of silkworm feces extracts in DNCBinduced NC/Nga atopy mice. It was found that each level of IgE and histamine in blood was significantly decreased in the silkworm feces extracts treatment groups, compared with the DNCB-induced atopy control group. When the silkworm feces extracts was applied to the atopy mice, it could be observed that its skin recovered to normal condition with the skin surface being clean and smooth without any tissue. The results suggest that the application of silkworm feces extracts effect on atopic model through a inhibition of histamine emissions with reducing the levels of blood IgE in NC/Nga atopy mice. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatitis that presents with itchiness and inflammation. When allergens(the causative factors of the allergy) enter the body, IgE is produced in B-cells (in the blood) and transported to mast cells in the skin. It then combines with basophils (a type of white blood cell), and histamine is formed and stored; upon repeated exposure to the same allergens, allergic symptoms occur (Harifin and Rajka, 1980;Horsmanheimo et al., 1994;Baugh and Bucala, 2001;Meyer, 2003). . A previous study reported that AD was due to an increase in the IFN-γ to IL-4 ratio (Kevin, 1994). Also, mononuclear cells of AD patients produce more cytokines (such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) compared to those of healthy individuals (Patrick, 1994;Yoon et al., 2003 )