Effect of Administration of Adlay Leaves on 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene-induced Chronic Dermatitis in Mice

Abstract

Diets containing either dehulled adlay seeds or young adlay leaves were administered to mice. The hapten 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) was applied to the right ear of mice daily for 28 days to generate a model of chronic dermatitis. The thickness of the right ear was measured to evaluate the pathology of allergy. The symptoms of mice fed diet containing adlay leaves were reduced. The serum IgE levels of mice belonging to both adlay groups were significantly lower than the control group. The IFN-γ level of mice belonging to the adlay leaf group was significantly higher in these groups and the IL-4 levels of both adlay samples were lower than the control. These results strongly suggest that adlay leaves have anti-allergic effects similar to that seen with dehulled adlay seeds.