Effect of ‘Treating Winter Disease in Summer’ Prescription on Skin Immune Barrier and Systemic Immunity in a Guinea Pig Model of Asthma

Objective: To investigate the effect of transdermal and topical application of ‘Treating Winter Disease in Summer' prescription on skin immune barrier and systemic immunity of asthma guinea-pigs, and its underlying mechanism. Methods: Thirty guinea-pigs were randomized into blank control group (n=10), OVA sensitization model group (n=10) and transdermal drug delivery (TDD) patch therapeutic group (n=10). TDD patch therapeutic group animals were received treatment by ‘Treating Winter Disease in Summer' prescription for transdermal and topical application. Lung tissue of guinea-pigs was being H&E stained. The expression of IL-10, IFN-α and IFN-γ in the skin and in the serum of guinea-pigs was examined, respectively. Results: H&E staining of lung tissue showed that the model of asthma in guinea-pig was successfully established, and it also showed that airway condition of asthma animals was significantly improved in OVA-sensitized animals treated with TDD patches; Results also revealed that the expression levels of immune factors such as IL-10, IFN-α and IFN-γ were markedly increased following TDD patches treatments. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that TDD patches reduces airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation in OVAsensitized animals, a finding consistent with a increase in IL-10, IFN-α and IFN-γ expression levels in serum and in the skin. The present data suggest that transdermal delivery of TDD patches improve skin immunity, leading to systemic immune improvement, which may contribute to its therapeutic effect in allergic asthma.