There has been considerable interest in traditional Chinese herbal therapy as a novel treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). To investigate the efficacy and safety of formulas of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Kujin-Plus, 94 AD patients received oral administration of the formula, Kujin-Plus I, containing 10 herbs, combined with a lotion, Kujin-Plus II, containing 7 herbs, and an ointment, Kujin-Plus III, containing 8 herbs as an open trial. The severity of the disease (clinical score; 0-4) and the severity of pruritus (pruritus score; 0-4) were judged by standardized scores. Both scores were significantly improved at the end of the treatment (p < 0.01;nonparametric test). The blood eosinophil ratio and serum IgE levels were high in AD patients and they were significantly reduced at the end of the treatment (p < 0.001). Of 94 AD patients with traditional Chinese herbal therapy, 32 were markedly improved, 59 were improved, 3 were slightly improved and none was ineffective. There was no remarkable evidence of renal or hepatic toxicity or another severe adverse effects. Thus, the present study confirmed that this herbal treatment is clinically efficacious on AD with a significant reduction in blood eosinophil ratio and serum IgE level.
