Deep Sea Minerals Ameliorate Dermatophagoides Farinae- or 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice

Background: Chronic pruritus and inflammatory skin lesions, characterized by high recurrence, are hallmarks of atopic dermatitis (AD). Despite its increasing prevalence, the development of therapeutic agents for AD remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of deep sea minerals (DSMs) in mist and cream formulations on the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice exposed to either Dermatophagoides farinae body extract (Dfb) or 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Methods: To induce AD, 100 mg of Biostir AD cream containing crude Dfb or 200 µL of DNCB (1%) was topically applied to the dorsal skin of NC/Nga mice. Additionally, 200 µL of deep sea mineral mist (DSMM) and 10 mg of deep sea mineral cream (DSMC) were applied daily to the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. AD was assessed through visual observations, clinical scoring of skin severity, serological tests, and histological analysis. Results: Visual and clinical evaluations revealed that DSMs inhibited the formation of AD-like skin lesions. DSMs also significantly affected trans-epidermal water loss and erythema. Treatment with DSMs resulted in reduced serum levels of IgE, IFN-γ, and IL-4. Histological analysis indicated that DSMs decreased skin thickness. Immunostaining for the CD4 antigen demonstrated a reduced infiltration of CD4+ T cells, which drive the Th2 response in AD, following DSM treatment. Conclusions: In conclusion, the cream formulation of DSMs showed better results than the mist formulation. These results suggest that DSMs may be an effective treatment for AD-like skin lesions, especially in cream formulation.