Objective To explore the protective effect and molecular mechanism of topical propolis on mice with atopic dermatitis.

Methods A total of 32 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, 20% topical propolis group and 0.05% dexamethasone positive control group, with 8 mice in each group. The atopic dermatitis mouse model was established using 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The dorsal skin lesions and dermatitis scores of mice in each group were dynamically observed and recorded. Laser Doppler flowmetry was applied to detect skin blood perfusion in dorsal lesional areas, and a transepidermal water loss (TEWL) meter was used to measure TEWL values of lesioned skin. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe histopathological changes and measure epidermal thickness, while toluidine blue (TB) staining was used to quantify mast cell infiltration. Serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results Compared with the model group, the symptoms including dryness, desquamation and erythema of dorsal skin lesions were markedly alleviated, and the lesion scores were significantly decreased in the topical propolis group (P < 0.05). The skin blood flow and TEWL values of lesioned areas were also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). HE and TB staining results indicated that topical propolis treatment markedly alleviated epidermal hyperplasia and significantly reduced mast cell infiltration in skin lesions(P<0.05). ELISA results showed that propolis significantly reduced the serum levels of IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in mice (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Topical application of propolis can alleviate DNFB-induced skin lesions and restore skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis mice by inhibiting T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated immune inflammatory responses.

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