The effect of calmodulin on histamine release in the rat peritoneal mast cell

Constituents and bioactive principles of Polygonum chinensis

Isolation and characterization of the chemical constituents of Polygonum chinensis L. gave the new 25R-spirost-4-ene-3,12-dione. The known compounds stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione, stigmastane-3,6-dione, hecogenin and aurantiamide acetate were also isolated from for the first time from this species. Their anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties are described.

The inhibitory effect of magnolol on cutaneous permeability in mice is probably mediated by a nonselective vascular hyporeactivity to mediators

In the present study, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of magnolol on the plasma leakage in passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction, neurogenic inflammation, dorsal skin and ear edema in mice. Hind-paw skin plasma extravasation caused by antidromic stimulation of the saphenous nerve was reduced in mice pretreated with magnolol, diphenydramine or methysergide, but not with indomethacin. Ear edema formation in the PCA reaction was reduced by magnolol in dose-dependent manner. In addition, histamine-, serotonin-, compound 48/80-, bradykinin- and substance P-induced ear edema in mice was also suppressed by magnolol. A dose- and time-dependency of the inhibitory effect of magnolol was demonstrated in histamine- and compound 48/80-induced dorsal skin edema. The maximal inhibitory effect produced by a single dose of magnolol (10 mg/kg) persisted for 1 h, and significant suppression lasted for at least 3 h. In compound 48/80-pretreated mice, the histamine content of the ear was greatly reduced. Bradykinin- and substance P-induced ear edema in compound 48/80-pretreated mice was less severe than that seen in normal mice, but was still significantly reduced by magnolol pretreatment. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of magnolol was more marked than that of diphenhydramine combined with methysergide. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of magnolol on local edema formation probably occurs through a nonselective inhibition on vascular tissue to prevent the permeability change caused by various mediators.

Edema-inducing activity of a lethal protein with phospholipase A1 activity isolated from the black-bellied hornet (Vespa basalis) venom

The lethal protein of the hornet (Vespa basalis) venom is a phospholipase A1 toxin (mol. wt approximately 32,000) with a potent hemolytic activity. Subplantar injection of the toxin caused a dose-dependent swelling in the rat hind paw. Its potency was higher than those of phospholipases A2 and cardiotoxin from cobra venoms. Hind-paw edema induced by the toxin was inhibited by antiserotonin drugs (cyproheptadine and methysergide), indomethacin and betamethasone. Antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) showed a relatively weak inhibition. Intradermal injection of the toxin into back skin of the rat also induced local edema which was inhibited by chlorpheniramine and methysergide. Rats pretreated with multiple doses of compound 48/80 showed a moderate decrease in the histamine and serotonin content of rat skin, and a slight decrease in paw edema induced by the toxin, while a single dose of reserpine markedly diminished the toxin-induced edema in association with depletion of serotonin in rat skin. The edema-inhibitory action of amine-depleting agents appeared to correlate with their potencies to deplete serotonin in the skin. It is suggested that serotonin, prostaglandin E2, and to a lesser extent of histamine are involved in producing the local effect of the toxin. However, serotonin released by the toxin appears to be the major factor mediating the toxin-induced edema in the rat.

Polymyxin B is a selective and potent antagonist of calmodulin

Polymyxin B, a cyclic peptide antibiotic, is considered to be a rather selective antagonist of protein kinase C. This drug is therefore widely used to evaluate the involvement of protein kinase C in cellular processes. In the present study, we investigated the effects of polymyxin B on the activity of calmodulin-dependent cyclic 3':5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase in vitro. The drug potently inhibited this enzyme (IC50 80 nM in the presence of 500 microM Ca2+), while about 200-fold higher concentrations were required to inhibit protein kinase C to the same extent. Phosphodiesterase inhibition was competitive with respect to Ca2+ and calmodulin. Evidence for the formation of a complex between polymyxin B and calmodulin was obtained by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, and by affinity chromatography of calmodulin on polymyxin B-agarose. We therefore suggest that, at least in vitro, polymyxin B is a potent and selective inhibitor of calmodulin.

Rat hind-paw swelling effect of an edema-producing protein isolated from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus snake venom

TMV F-IV, isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus (TMV), caused rat hind-paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum hind-paw swelling was reached at 1.5-2 h after subplantar injection of TMV F-IV. The edematous response caused by TMV F-IV was suppressed by the s.c. pretreatment with diphenhydramine, methysergide, acetylsalicylic acid or dexamethasone, and by the subplantar co-injection with FPL 55712, a SRS-A antagonist, and BN 52021 or L 652731, both PAF antagonists. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte infiltration appeared within 1 h and gradually increased in the rat paw 3-6 h after edema induction. Compound 48/80 or methotrexate pretreatment also inhibited paw edema caused by TMV F-IV. In isolated mast cells, TMV F-IV increased the formation of PGE2 and LTB4 and caused a dose-dependent release of histamine and beta-glucuronidase. Since there are no significant differences in paw edema and mast cell degranulation responses between TMV F-IV and its DFP-modified analogue, the esterase activity may not be necessary in these models. These results indicate that mast cells. PMN leukocytes and some inflammatory mediators such as histamine, serotonin, arachidonate metabolites and PAF are involved in TMV F-IV induced paw edema.

Structure and biological activities of a new mastoparan isolated from the venom of the hornet Vespa basalis

By gel filtration on a Fractogel TSK HW 50 column followed by cation-exchange chromatography on CM-Trisacryl M, a tetradecapeptide amide, designated 'mastoparan B', was purified from the venom of the hornet Vespa basalis. Its amino acid sequence was determined as: Leu-Lys-Leu-Lys-Ser-Ile-Val-Ser-Trp-Ala-Lys-Lys-Val-Leu-NH2 and its molecular mass was measured to be 1611 Da by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. In addition to having a common structure of vespid mastoparans, the peptide shows a less hydrophobic sequence at positions 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9. The peptide caused liberation of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells and induced oedema in the rat paw. However, the latter effect was inhibited by 'anti-serotonin' (anti-5-hydroxytryptamine) (cyproheptadine), but not by antihistamine (chlorpheniramine). The peptide also possesses a potent haemolytic activity which acts in synergy with the lethal protein of the venom, suggesting the possible involvement of mastoparan B in the lethal effect of Vespa basalis venom.

Rat paw oedema and mast cell degranulation caused by two phospholipase A2 enzymes isolated from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom

Two phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes, TMVPLA2 I and TMVPLA2 II, isolated from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom (TMV) induce rat hind-paw oedema in a dose-dependent manner. This response is suppressed by pretreatment with diphenhydramine, methysergide or compound 48/80, which reduces tissue histamine content. In isolated mast cells, TMVPLA2 I and TMVPLA2 II cause concentration-, time- and calcium-dependent release of histamine and beta-glucuronidase. This effect is inhibited by disodium cromoglycate, mepacrine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, piriprost and BW 755C, but not by aspirin or indomethacin. These observations indicate that the mast cell plays a predominant role in TMVPLA2 I- and TMVPLA2 II-induced paw oedema, and that venom PLA2 enzyme needs an intact lipoxygenase pathway to induce mast cell degranulation.

Comparison of the enzymatic and edema-producing activities of two venom phospholipase A2 enzymes

The edema-producing activity of NNAVPLA2, an acidic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme from Naja naja atra venom (NNAV), was less potent than that of TMVPLA2 II, a basic PLA2 from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus venom (TMV). These edema-forming effects were greatly suppressed by pretreatment of rats with diphenhydramine/methysergide or compound 48/80, which reduced the tissue content of histamine and serotonin. Heparin abolished and suppressed the paw edema caused by protamine and TMVPLA2 II, respectively, but had no effect on the NNAVPLA2-induced response. In isolated rat peritoneal mast cells, both PLA2 concentration dependently induced the release of histamine and beta-glucuronidase. Again, TMVPLA2 II was more potent than NNAVPLA2. This degranulation effect of mast cells caused by TMVPLA2 II and protamine was inhibited by heparin, while that caused by NNAVPLA2 was unaffected. The edema-forming and mast cell degranulation effects were greatly decreased in both PBPB-modified NNAVPLA2 and PBPB-modified TMVPLA2 II, in which the catalytic activity of the enzymes was completely lost. PBPB-modified TMVPLA2 II-induced paw edema was also suppressed by heparin. Furthermore, this edematous response was totally reversed in rat pretreated with aspirin in combination with diphenhydramine and methysergide. These results suggest that the edema-forming effect of PLA2 is probably dependent on the presence of catalytic, positive charge and pharmacological sites on its molecule.

Edematous response caused by [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin, a B2 receptor antagonist, is due to mast cell degranulation

[Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin caused hind-paw edema and degranulation of isolated peritoneal mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with diphenhydramine/methysergide or compound 48/80 completely suppressed the edematous response caused by [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin, whereas bradykinin-induced hind-paw swelling was only partially inhibited by diphenhydramine and methysergide pretreatment; the residual response was significantly further depressed by [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin. Neither the bradykinin- nor [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin-induced edematous response was significantly affected by aspirin or BW755C. The mast cell degranulation caused by [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin and bradykinin was inhibited by gangliosides but not by heparin. These results suggest that the edematous response elicited by [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin was mainly due to the actions of mediators released by the degranulation of mast cells. Unlike bradykinin, [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin was devoid of a direct exudation-promoting effect but exerted an antagonistic effect on the direct effect of kinin. If the influence of mast cells degranulation could be minimized, [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin could be used as a tool to evaluate the role of kinin in the edematous response in inflammation.

Roles of mast cells and PMN leukocytes in cardiotoxin-induced rat paw edema

Cardiotoxin, isolated from the venom of Naja naja atra, was found to cause rat hind-paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. This edematous response was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with diphenhydramine, methysergide or compound 48/80, which reduced the tissue histamine content. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte infiltration appeared within 1 h and had accumulated markedly in the rat paw 3-6 h after subplantar injection of cardiotoxin. Methotrexate pretreatment significantly reduced not only the peripheral leukocyte count but also cardiotoxin-induced paw edema. Captopril, a kininase inhibitor, potentiated the edematous response caused by a low dose of cardiotoxin. The initial phase, occurring within 3 h, of paw edema induced by cardiotoxin was suppressed by trasylol, [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]bradykinin, or by cellulose sulfate pretreatment which greatly reduced plasma kininogen levels. Both mast cells and PMN leukocytes possess kinin-forming activities, but with different properties. The kinin-forming activity of mast cells but not of PMN leukocytes was inhibited by trasylol. In isolated mast cells, cardiotoxin caused a dose-dependent release of histamine, beta-glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase and kinin-forming activity. These observations suggest that mast cells and PMN leukocytes are involved in cardiotoxin-induced paw edema, and that inflammatory mediators such as histamine, serotonin and kinins were supplied directly or indirectly by mast cells, at least in the initial phase.