Fig. 4. The inhibition of mast cell infiltration by topical application of the TECA + AST combination in dorsal ear and back skin. Mast cell infiltrations in dorsal ear and back skin (A). Slide sections of dorsal ear and back tissues were examined by staining with 0.25% toluidine blue followed by observation at 200× magnification (scale bars, 100 μm). The number of infiltrated mast cells per specific area was measured as described in Materials and Methods (B). Data shown are obtained from the same mice treated as shown in Fig. 1. Data shown are the mean ± standard deviation (n=10). ^*P < 0.05 is the significance level compared to the control group.

Con, control; PA, phthalic anhydride; TECA, titrated extract of Centella asiatica; AST, astaxanthin.

^*P < 0.05 is the significance level compared to the control group. ^†P < 0.05 is the significance level compared to the PA treatment group.