• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2010

The fruits of Piper cubeba L. are used traditionally to treat respiratory disorders in Indonesia. In order to determine the compounds responsible for this activity, the fruits were extracted with nhexane followed by ethanol to give n-hexane and ethanol extracts. Based on tracheospasmolytic assay on these two extracts, the n-hexane extract was more active to inhibit trachea contraction than that of ethanol extract. Upon bioassay guided isolation of the n-hexane extract, a tracheospasmolytic active compound was isolated and identified as dihydrocubebin [(3,4),(3',4')-bis-methylenedioxy-9,9'dihydroxylignan] $(\underline{1})$. Compound $\underline{1}$ was tested further for its ability to inhibit histamine released from mast cells, using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cell line and rat peritoneal mast cells RPMCs) as models; and $DNP_{24}$-BSA, thapsigargin, ionomycin, compound 48/80 and PMA were used as inducers for histamine released from mast cell. The test result showed that $\underline{1}$ inhibited histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells induced by $DNP_{24}$-BSA, thapsigargin and ionomycin. In addition, $\underline{1}$ suppressed histamine release from RPMC induced by either thapsigargin or ionomycin. However, $\underline{1}$ did not inhibit histamine release from RPMC induced by either compound 48/80 or combination PMA-sub optimum dose of ionomycin. Therefore, it was concluded that the inhibitory effects of $\underline{1}$ on the histamine released from mast cells may involve mechanisms related to intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling events or downstream processes of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in mast cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2018

A nucleobase adenine is a fundamental component of nucleic acids and adenine nucleotides. Various biological roles of adenine have been discovered. It is not produced from degradation of adenine nucleotides in mammals but produced mainly during polyamine synthesis by dividing cells. Anti-inflammatory roles of adenine have been supported in IgE-mediated allergic reactions, immunological functions of lymphocytes and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. However adenine effects on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell wall component of Gram negative bacteria, is not examined. Here we investigated anti-inflammatory roles of adenine in LPS-stimulated immune cells, including a macrophage cell line RAW264.7 and bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMCs) and peritoneal cells in mice. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, adenine inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 and inflammatory lipid mediators, prostaglandin $E_2$ and leukotriene $B_4$. Adenine impeded signaling pathways eliciting production of these inflammatory mediators. It suppressed $I{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK and ERK. Although adenine raised cellular AMP which could activate AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK), the enzyme activity was not enhanced. In BMMCs, adenine inhibited the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-13 and also hindered phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and Akt. In peritoneal cavity, adenine suppressed the LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by peritoneal cells in mice. These results show that adenine attenuates the LPS-induced inflammatory reactions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1260-1270
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• 2007

The discovery of drugs on the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic disease is a very important subject in human heath. The Socheongyoug-tang(SCYT) has been used for centruries as a traditional medicine in Korea and is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, its specific mechanism of action is still unknown. In this report, we investigated the effect of hot water extract from SCYT on RBL-2H3 mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and studied its possible mechanism of action. SCYT inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and serum histamine release in mice. SCYT decreased the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction activated by Anti-lgE antibody-HSA. SCYT dose-dependently reduced histamine release from mice peritoneal mast cells activated by Anti-lgE antibody-HSA. SCYT increased cAMP and decreased compound 48/80-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels. Our findings provide evidence that SCYT inhibits mast-derived allergic reactions, and also demonstrate the involvement of cAMP and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in these effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

Objective : Moutan Cortex (the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is widely used in oriental medicine as a remedy for inflammation. However, as yet there is no clear explanation of how MC(Moutan Cortex) affects the production of inflammatory cytokine. This study was to determine the effects of Essence extracted MC on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Method : We observed the effect of MC on compound 48/80-induced histamine release of rat peritoneal mast cells and the effect of administering MC on PCA in rat. We measured the amount of inflammatory cytokine production induced by the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore(A23187) in the human mast cell line (HMC-1) incubated with various concentrations of MC. The TNF-$\alpha$ protein levels were analysised by Western blot. The TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 secreted protein levels were measured by the ELISA assay. The TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels were measured by the RT-PCR analysis. NF-$\kappa$B, phospho-I$\kappa$B and MAPKs were exmined by Western blot analysis. The NF-$\kappa$B promoter activity was examined by luciferase assay. Result : 1. Enzyme immunoassay indicated that MC suppressed histamine secretion of rat peritoneal mast cells. 2. In PCA dependent on IgE, MC had anti-allergic effect of the internal surface of rat skin. 3. Western blot indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$ protein levels. 4. ELISA indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 but MC had no significant effect on IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. 5. RT-PCR indicated that MC decreased TNF-$\alpha$, IL-8 but MC had no significant effect on IL-6 in HMC-l cells. 6. Western blot indicated that MC suppressed the induction of MAPKs, NF-$\kappa$B & phospho-I$\kappa$B activity in HMC-1 cells. 7. Luciferase assay indicated that MC suppressed the PMA plus A23187-induced NF-$\kappa$B promoting activityin HMC-1 cells. Conclusion : In this study, we have found that MC is an inhibitor of NF-$\kappa$B, MAPKs & cytokines on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2010

The inhibitory effects of 25 polyphenols against in vitro allergic reactions were compared using biochemical and cell assays. Three polyphenols including curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin suppressed the release of $\beta$-hexosaminidase from ionophore A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells more effectively (>50% inhibition at $100{\mu}M$ concentration). They were found to have potencies in suppressing the release of histamine not only from ionophore A23187-, but also from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, such suppressive effects of the three polyphenols were also observed in A23187 plus PMA-costimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The extent of inhibition were quantified as the respective polyphenol concentration that inhibit 50% ($IC_{50}$) of $\beta$-hexosaminidase or histamine release, showing an inhibition tendency with decreasing order of curcumin>gallic acid>quercetin. Down-regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx was suggested as the cause of the inhibition of $\beta$-hexosaminidase and histamine releases in these cells. The immune process inhibition was confirmed by the observed reduction in the gene expressions and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$, and IL-4, due probably to antioxidant activity of the polyphenols. These findings illustrate that curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin may be beneficial against allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

Effects of Panax ginseng on allergic reactions were studied uslng various in vivo and in vitro experimental models such as 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, mediators-induced skin reactions, histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells, and lipoxygenase assay . In all of anti-allergic experiments we conducted, ginseng components (50% ethanol extract or ginseng total saponin or ginsenosides) extracted from Korean red ginseng, did not show significant anti-allergic actions. In 48-hr passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mediators-induced skin reactions, 50% ethanol extract did not suppress hypersensitivity reactions. Total saponin, 50% ethanol extract, and 8 major ginsenosides did not show inhibitory effects on lipoxygeanse activity. Ginseng total saponin did not inhibit histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. All of the ginseng components mentioned above were also tested on RBL-2H3 cells, but none of them inhibited hexosaminidase release from this cell line. These results suggest that Panax ginseng does not have effects on allergic reactions at the level of 50% ethanol extract or total saponin used. All of 8 major saponin components tested ($Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$, $Rg_2$), did not inhibit lipoxygenase activity and degranulation events.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2005

The effects of the extracts from the bran part of pigmented rices on inflammation was evaluated by determining their inhibitory action on the histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ release, together with inflammatory cytokine productions ($IL-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6). Examination of the inhibitory effects on the histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ release from a basophilic cell line RBL-2H3 cells and rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) showed that the pigmented rice extract inhibited these inflammation-mediating substances (10.19% and 110.03% inhibition in histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ release, respectively), while normal brown rice extract rather increased their release. For RPMC, the pigmented rice extract was found to have 8 or 3-fold stronger inhibitory activity than normal brown rice toward histamine or ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ release, respectively. Expression of $IL-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 was measured as the representative inflammatory cytokine species showed that the pigmented rice extract had a higher inhibitory activity than the normal rice counterpart. ELISA analysis for determining cytokine release demonstrated a more effective blockading ability of the pigmented rice to the release of $IL-{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 compared to normal rice. These results showed us the superiority of the pigmented rice bran extract not only in suppressing the release of inflammation-mediating substances such as histamine and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$, but also in repression of the inflammatory cytokine expression.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.61-83
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n =8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and KCT treated group. KCT (1,200 mg/head) was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants. The weight (body, left uterus and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-l${\beta}$) in serum and peritoneal fluid were also measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results : - The volumes(mm$^3$) of endometriotic implants in KCT-treated group (107${\pm}$66) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (405${\pm}$318). - The contents(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (6,940${\pm}$893) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (8,632${\pm}$1,245). - The contents(pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluid in KCT-treated group (847${\pm}$330) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with control group (1,245${\pm}$362). - The percentages(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in KCT-treated group (31${\pm}$10) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (50${\pm}$8). - The numbers of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group (69${\pm}$18) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (109${\pm}$30). - The numbers of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in KCT-treated group(16${\pm}$5) were significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group (26${\pm}$8). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of KCT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Keukhachukeo-Tang (KCT) have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects are related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Keukhachukeo-Tang.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.240-249
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• 2001

Objective : Anal Therapy is another way of taking medicine and applies to each field of clinical treatment extensively. Sinpo-tang(SPT) has been used for the treatment of a allergic rhinitis. In this study, the auther investigated the anti anaphylactic action of Sinpo-tang by anal therapy was investigated on cutaneous allergic reaction models. Methods : Results : 1. Sinpo-tang (0,001-0.1 g/kg) dose-dependently inhibited the compound 48/80-induced ear swelling response in mice. Inhibitory effect of Sinpo-tang was significant (P < 0.05) at the doses of 0.01, 0.1 g/kg. 2. Sinpo-tang (0.001-0.1 g/kg) inhibited the cutaneous allergic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE in rats. Of special note, Sinpo-tang (0.1 g/kg) inhibited the cutaneous allergic reaction by $68\%$. 3. This inhibitory effect of Sinpo-tang was confirmed by observation of alcian blue/nuclear fast red stained-mast cells in the cutaneous tissue. 4. Sinpo-tang (0.01-1 g/L) dose-dependently inhibited the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells. Conclusions :These results indicate that anal therapy of Sinpo-tang may be beneficial in the treatment of mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis by inhibition of histamine release from mast cells in vivo and in vitro.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.52-59
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• 2000

Objectives: The root and stem of Sinomenium acutum has been used for treatment of arthritis and neuralgia in oriental medicine. To find new substances of the anti-anaphylactic drugs, we studied Sinomenium acutum. Methods: To investigate the effect of this plant, the effect on anaphylactic reaction, plasma histamine level, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}-(TNF-{\alpha})$ production were measured after the aqueous extract of Sinomenium acutum stem (SSAE) was administrated to mice and rats. Results: The SSAE (0.1 to 1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in mice. Especially, SSAE reduced compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction with 50% at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. SSAE (100 to 1000 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When mice were pretreated with SSAE at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. SSAE (1 to 1000 g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cAMP in RPMCs, when SSAE was added, increased compared with that of a normal control. In addition, SSAE (0.1 g/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. Conclusions: These results indicate that SSAE inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production from mast cells.