Inhibitory effect of Byakko-ka-ninjin-to on itch in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis

Byakko-ka-ninjin-to (BN) is composed of gypsum, the root of anemarrhena, ginseng, licorice and rice. The effect of BN on the inhibition of itch was studied using an NC mouse model of atopic dermatitis. BN (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the scratching frequency in NC mice, and decreased the skin temperature by 1.97 degrees C. The cooling action on the skin by BN may be involved in the inhibitory mechanism of itch, at least in part, since cooling the skin is known to inhibit the itch sensation in humans. Although the myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2C (MEF2C) mRNA is known to be increased in the cerebral cortex correlated with the itch sensation and skin lesions in NC mice, BN did not affect the expression level of the MEF2C mRNA. This result suggests that the inhibitory effect of BN on itch does not relate to inhibition of MEF2C expression in the cerebral cortex. The present study indicates that BN has an inhibitory effect on itch, and may be a useful antipruritic drug for atopic dermatitis.