Effect of propolis on an atopic dermatitis model in mice

[Introduction] Propolis has been proven to inhibit histamine release from mast cells in vitro. However, there are few reports regarding its antiallergic properties. Therefore, we studied the inhibitory effect of propolis on skin allergic responses. [Method] Propolis was administered orally and percutaneously to the animals. Compound 48/80 or histamine were injected intradermally into the rostral part of the back of the mice. Mast cells were treated with propolis. After 10 min, compound 48/80 was added to the samples in order to induce histamine release. [Results] Orally administered propolis at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, significantly decreased scratching behavior induced by both compound 48/80 and histamine in mice, and percutaneously administered, it significantly inhibited this behavior at a dose of 1 mg/site. Propolis caused a significant inhibition of histamine release from rat mast cells at doses of 10, 30 and 100μg/ml. From these results, it can be assumed that inhibitions of scratching behavior and histamine release induced by propolis were occurred through an inhibition of mast cells degranulation.