The effect of “bakuhan-seki” on contact dermatitis

Abstract

In traditional Chinese medicine, “Bakuhan-seki”, which are igneous rocks composed mainly of silicic anhydride belonging to the quartz-porphyry family, have been used for centuries for the treatment of swelling and skin diseases. We studied whether they can affect the symptoms and histopathology of the skin in lacquer-induced contact dermatitis in guinea pigs. The backs of eight 6-week old female Hartley guinea pigs were clipped and 0.5 ml of a 0.1% lacquer(japan)solution was applied 10 times a day using even pressure to produce contact dermatitis. The left half of the backs were left untreated, while the right halves were treated with “Bakuhan-seki” in water or white petrolatum. Redness, edema and erosion were seen on the 3rd day in both untreated areas and areas treated with “Bakuhan-seki” or white petrolatum, but changes were least in areas treated with “Bakuhan-seki”. Histologically, epidermal thickening and hyperkeratosis, as well as perivascular inflammatory small round cell infiltration, were commonly seen, but epidermal thickening and inflammatory small round cell infiltration were least marked in areas treated with “Bakuhan-seki”. These findings suggest that “Bakuhan-seki” have anti-inflammatory effects and are effective in improving dermatitis. © 1993, Japanese Society of National Medical Services. All rights reserved.