Abstract: Objective To investigate the mechanism of mizolastine inhibiting allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in murine model. Methods The murine model of allergic contact dermatitis by topical DNFB was used. Using this model murine inhibition of ear swelling was observed after oral administration of mizolastine in different doses. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 in the sera of these mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Murine ear swellings were markedly suppressed in each dose group of mizolastine (P<0.05). In ACD mice the levels of IFN-γ in the serum and the suspensions of spleen cells as well as the levels of TNF-α in serum were significantly increased (P<0.01), meanwhile the levels of TNF-α from peritoneal macrophages and IL-4 in serum and the suspensions of spleen cells were not changed (P>0.05). Different doses of mizolastine inhibited the expression of these three cytokines to different degrees. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of mizolastine on murine ACD may be played by inhibiting the expression of some cytokines.

Key words: Dermatitis, allergic contact, Cytokines, Mizolastine