Novel findings in inhibition of mast cell-dependent immediate-type cutaneous reactions by Gahmi-Shini-San

Cnidium officinale Makino: Phytology, Phytochemistry, Toxicology, Pharmacology and Prescriptions (1967-2023)

Cnidium officinale Makino (COM), a perennial herbaceous plant in the Apiaceous family, widely distribute in Eastern Asia and Asia-Temperate. It has a long history application as a traditional medicine for invigorating the blood and removing blood stasis, and also has been employed to diet, pesticide, herbal bathing materials, the cosmetic and skin care industry. However, there has been no associated review of literature in the past half a century (1967-2023). By searching the international authoritative databases and collecting 229 literatures closely related to COM, herewith a comprehensive and systematic review was conducted. The phytology includes plant distribution and botanical characteristics. The phytochemistry covers 8 major categories, 208 compounds in total, and the quantitative determination of 14 monomer compounds, total polyphenols and total flavonoids. The clinical trial in pregnant women and toxic experiments in mice, the pharmacology of 7 aspects and 82 frequently used prescriptions are summarized. It is expected that this paper will provide forward-looking scientific thinking and literature support for the further modern research, development and utilization of COM.

[6]-Shogaol inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines via regulation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of JNK in HMC-1 cells

[6]-Shogaol is a major bioactive component of Zingiber officinale. Although [6]-shogaol has a number of pharmacological activities including antipyretic, analgesic, antitussive and anti-inflammatory effects, the specific mechanisms of its anti-allergic effects have not been studied. In this study, we present the effects of [6]-shogaol on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions in vivo and in vitro. Sprague-Dawley rats received intradermal injections of anti-DNP IgE was injected into dorsal skin sites. After 48 h, [6]-shogaol was administered orally 1 h prior to challenge with DNP-HSA in saline containing 4% Evans blue through the dorsal vein of the penis. In addition, rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) were cultured and purified to investigate histamine release. In vitro, we evaluated the regulatory effects of [6]-shogaol on the level of inflammatory mediators in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionomycin A23187-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). [6]-Shogaol reduced the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction compared to the control group, and histamine release decreased significantly following the treatment of RPMCs with [6]-shogaol. In HMC-1 cells, [6]-shogaol inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of JNK in compound 48/80-induced HMC-1 cells. [6]-shogaol inhibited mast cell-mediated allergic reactions by inhibiting the release of histamine and the production of proinflammatory cytokines with the involvement of regulation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of JNK.

Insamhodo-tang, a traditional Korean medicine, regulates mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro

AIM OF THE STUDY

Insamhodo-tang (IHT) has traditionally been used in Korea to treat a variety of diseases, including chronic cough, tuberculosis, and chronic bronchitis. However, the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of IHT and its molecular mechanisms have yet to be clearly elucidated. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of IHT on mast cell-mediated allergy inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated to ascertain the pharmacological effects of IHT on both compound 48/80-induced and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic reactions under in vivo conditions. Additionally, to find a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of IHT, we evaluated the regulatory effects of IHT on the level of inflammatory mediators in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1).

RESULTS

The finding of this study demonstrated that IHT reduced compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock, DNFB-induced dermatitis, and ear swelling responses in mice. Additionally, IHT inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, as well as the activation of nuclear factor-κB and caspase-1 in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with a novel insight into the pharmacological actions of IHT as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.

Recombinant soybean protein beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit expression and induced hypersensitivity reaction in rats

BACKGROUND

The major storage protein in soybean seed is beta-conglycinin and this protein has been identified as being responsible for food-allergic reactions in several species. However, the mechanism through which beta-conglycinin induces an allergic reaction has not yet been elucidated. In addition, assessing the antigenic activity of beta-conglycinin by studying the activity of a subunit has rarely been conducted. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize the antigenic specificity of the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit.

METHODS

We established an Escherichia coli expression system to obtain beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit. The fusion proteins were then used in a rat model to induce a hypersensitive reaction. Immunoblotting, IgE and IgG1 level, histamine release, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions and intestinal histology were tested to assess the allergenic activity of the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit.

RESULTS

Pure beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit was obtained by expression in E. coli. The recombinant proteins were shown to have the same biological activity as the natural beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit using immunoblotting analysis. Both the IgE and IgG1 level in serum and the histamine concentration in the intestine were increased while passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions were induced in Brown Norway rats by intragastric gavage with the alpha'-subunit. Histamine release of mast cells was also elevated in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit possesses an intrinsic immune-stimulating capacity and that it can induce an allergic reaction. Moreover, this study showed that beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit-induced anaphylaxis is IgE mediated, and mast cell degranulation and histamine release are associated with anaphylactic symptoms.

Inhibitory effects of Okbyungpoong-Gamhmi on anaphylactic responses

We investigated the effect of a herbal formulation Okbyungpoong-Gamhmi (OG) on mast cell-dependent anaphylactic reactions by intra-rectal administration. OG concentration dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis-like response and ear swelling response with doses of 0.01-1g/kg. OG also inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis at the same concentrations. The histamine release induced by compound 48/80 or IgE from the rat peritoneal mast cells was reduced by 64.2 and 63.6%, respectively, at 1g/l. These results provide evidence that intra-rectal therapy of OG may be beneficial in the treatment of anaphylactic response.

Expression and Function of CD8 .ALPHA./.BETA. Chains on Rat and Human Mast Cells

The expression and functional role of CD8 glycoprotein, a marker of cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes and NK cells, were not studied on freshly isolated connective tissue type rat peritoneal mast cells, a rat mucosal type mast cell line (RBL 2H3), or human mast cell line (HMC-1). We used the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

RT-PCR and Western blot analysis identified the presence of CD8 alpha/beta chains on the mast cells, and immunohistochemistry confirmed CD8alpha expression on rat or human mast cells. Functional studies demonstrated that stimulation of CD8 alpha/beta chains on rat mast cells induced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are regarded as important mediators during infection. However, co-stimulation with stem cell factor had no effect on CD8-induced mediator secretion. Our findings demonstrate novel biological roles of CD8 molecules in mast cells.

Forsythia fructus inhibits the mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reactions

Mast cells are key as effector cells in the early phase allergic inflammation and in diverse immunological and pathological processes. Forsythia fructus (F. fructus) has used as a traditional medicine for inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we determined the effect of F. fructus extracts on compound 48/80-induced paw oedema and vascular permeability in vivo. In addition, we investigated in vitro whether F. fructus has inhibitory effects on compound 48/80-induced histamine releases from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC), and on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) releases from human mast cells (HMC-1). In mice orally administrered F. fructus (100 microg/g) for 1 h, compound-48/80-induced oedema and vascular permeability were significantly reduced rather than those receiving intravenous injection of ketotifen, mast cell stabilizer. F. fructus dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from RPMCs. Moreover, F. fructus had no cytotoxic effects on cell viability and had inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha secretion from HMC-1. These results suggest that F. fructus is a potential herb medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases through downmodulating mast cell activation.