• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.35-41
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• 2010

Objectives : Allergy is an immune dysfunction caused by degranulation from mast cells in the early phase of allergic disease including allergic rhinitis (AR). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Osterici Radix, roots of Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz in human mast cells and experimental allergic animal models. Methods : The anti-allergic effect of Osterici Radix water extract (NK-W) was investigated in human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells, and compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic response in rats and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR in mice. Animals were orally administrated with NK-W (10 and 50 mg/kg) or anti-histamine drug, dosodium cromoglycate (50 mg/kg), and then intraperitoneally injected with compound 48/80 (8 mg/kg) or sensitized with 0.1% OVA into nasal. Animals were observed plasma histamine and histological changes of nasal mucosa. Also, mast cell degranulation and histamine production were determined in compound 48/80-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Results : NK-W inhibited compound 48/80-induced degranulation of mast cells and histamine releasing in HMC-1 cells. NK-W decreased mortality and serum histamine releasing in compound 48/80-induced anaphylatic rats in a dose-dependently manner. NK-W also inhibited serum histamine levels in OVA-induced AR mice and improved abnormal histological changes such as expansion of grandular cells and hypertrophy of epithelium in the nasal mucosa. These results indicate that Osterici Radix water extract suppress allergic response through downregulation of mast cell activation. Conclusions : This study suggests that a therapeutic potential of Osterici Radix as a source of anti-allergic agents for use in a number of allergic diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.233-238
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• 2007

Objectives : Scutellariae Radix (Hwanggeum in Korean) is the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Scutellariae Radix is well known to be used as a medicine for common cold, upper respiratory infections, and to strengthen and regulate the immune system and anemia etc. Little is understood about the roles of Scutellariae Radix in the cytokine and chemokine secretion by immune cells. This study was designed to find out the effects of Scutellariae Radix on the cytokine and chemokine secretion in human mast cells (HMC-1). Methods : We treated hwanggeum according to consistency on HMC-1 and measured cytokines and chemokines levels using flow cytometry CBA system. Results : In hwanggeum treated group, the expression of interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9, MIG), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and interferon ${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) were decreased significantly. Conclusion : These results suggest that hwanggeum may support some of immune diseases by means of amiliorating some chemokines or cytokines such as IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, IL-8, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-${\gamma}$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Objectives : Allergy is an immune dysfunction caused by degranulation from mast cells in the early phase of allergic disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-allergic effect of fermented Angelicae gigantis Radix in human mast cell line, HMC-1. Method : The Angelicae gigantis Radix was fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus. The cell toxicity of fermented Angelicae gigantis Radix(FAGR) was determined by MTT assay. The release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase from HMC-1 stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187 was determined by ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase assay. Also, the concentrations of cytokines (interleukin-$1{\beta}$, -6, -8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gene expression of COX-2 from HMC-1 stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187 was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The release of histamine on substance P-stimulated HMC-1 was measured by histamine assay. Result : The FAGR suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, a marker of degranulation, from HMC-1 stimulated by PMA plus A23187. The FAGR inhibited the production of interleukin-$1{\beta}$, -6, -8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The FAGR inhibited the expression of COX-2 mRNA. The FAGR suppressed the release of histamine on substance P-stimulated HMC-1. Conclusion : These results provide that FAGR may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2009

Soeumin-Googwihyangso-san(SGGHSS) has been used for the prevention or treatment of Soeumin-allergic rhinitis. This study was performed to demonstrate anti-allergic and anti-inflamatory effects of SGGHSS methanol extract in HMC cell lines and activated mouse B cells and CD4+ T cells. SGGHSS inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$ in PMA plus A23187 activated HMC-1 cells but not that of IL-6, as measured by ELISA. SGGHSS inhibited the expression of CD23 and surface IgE in B cells as determined by flowcytometry. It also inhibited secretion of IFN-$\gamma$ and IgG1, the Th1 related IgG type, but increased that of IL-4 in anti-CD40 and IL-4 treated B cells as measured by ELISA. As for Th cell differentiation, SGGHSS did not much affect IL-4 or IFN-$\gamma$. Taken together, our data showed that SGGHSS exerted an anti-inflammtory effect by inhibiting TNF-$\alpha$ in mast cells and has anti-allergic activity not via inhibition of CD4+ T cell, but via inhibition of B cells. These results suggest some evidence that SGGHSS can be applied to allergic disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.81-89
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• 2008

Objectives: In this study, the pharmacological effects of the ethylacetate extract of Ostericum koreanum(North Kangwhal; NK) on allergic inflammation were investigated in activated human mast cells. Methods: North Kangwhal was extracted with 80% methanol for 24 h, and then fractionated with ethylacetate(NK-EtOAc extract). HMC-1 cells, an human mast line, were pre-incubated with different concentrations of NK-EtOAc extract for 30 min, and then stimulated with PMA(50 nM/ml) and A23187($1{\mu}M/ml$) at indicated times. The cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results: NK-EtOAc extract($10{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$) significantly inhibited the productions of $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-8 in PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells without cell toxicity($0{\sim}50{\mu}g/ml$). NK-EtOAc extract also inhibited PMA/A23187-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK and the NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation into the nuclear of HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: This study suggests that NK-EtOAc extract may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators in activated mast cells and its molecular mechanism underlies the blocking of NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2004

Objective : KagamJwagwiEum(KJE) has been used for the purpose of prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic asthma in Korea. To investigate the biological effect of KJE, the author examined cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokines secretion with human leukemic mast cell line, HMC-1. Methods: HMC-1 was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187. KJE by itself had no effect on viability of HMC-l. The effects of KJE on the secretion of tumor necrosis $factor-alpha(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-8 from HMC-1 were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : KJE inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion. But KJE had no effect IL-8 secretion: KJE had immunoregulatory effects on cytokines, increased secretion of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ but did not effect IL-12 secretion when the cells were primed and trigged with $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that KJE inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells and activate macrophages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.91-101
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• 2008

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Ampelopsis Radix methanol(AR-M) extract on allergic inflammation in activated human mast cells and its potential therapeutic or toxic effects. Methods: Ampelopsis Radix(AR) was extracted with 80% methanol. HMC-1 cells, a human mast cell line, were treated with different concentrations of AR-M extract, and then stimulated with PMA plus A23187. The cell toxicity of AR-M extract was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ and cytokines were measured by ELISA. The gene expression of COX-2 and its protein levels were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The phosphorylation of ERK MAPK and the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation were determined by Western blot. Results: AR-M extract was significantly inhibited the production of PGE2 and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8) in PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. AR-M extract also attenuated the mRNA expression of COX-2 and its protein induction. Furthermore, AR-M extract attenuated PMA/A23187-induced phophorylation of ERK1/2 MAPK and the NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation into nuclear of HMC-1 cells. AR-M extract significantly decreased PMN A23187-induced release of histamine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: These results indicate that Ampelopsis Radix shows the property of anti-allergic inflammation In vitro through suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators released from mast cells, suggesting have a potential for the treatment of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2009

Ginseng saponins have various pharmacological effects on the immune system. 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) are the species of ginseng saponin metabolites that are formed by human intestinal bacteria and detected in circulation. The effects of PPD and PPT on the inflammatory mediator release from the activated mast cells were tested. Histamine release was evaluated in activated guinea pig lung mast cells, and the secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) was assessed in an HMC-1 cell after treating it with ginseng saponin metabolites. The results are as follows. PPT, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, completely abolished the secretion of IL-4 from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. It also inhibited IL-8 secretion from the same cells by about 40-50% of the PMA-treated DMSO control. PPD, at its maximum concentration of $100\;{\mu}M$, showed a tendency to induce histamine release from the guinea pig lung mast cells. It inhibited the secretion of IL-4 (by 89% of the PMA-treated DMSO control) in the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell, but did have a significant effect on the IL-8 release from the same cell. Both PPD and PPT showed no effects, however, on the release of TNF-${\alpha}$ from the PMA-stimulated HMC-1 cell. These results suggest that PPD and PPT are from the ginseng metabolites that are responsible for the immunomodulating activity of ginseng extracts when they are taken orally.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2004

Background : Although the pathophysiology of asthma has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The mast cell is an effector cells in allergic inflammation and secretes a number of chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. Chemokines also contribute to the pathogenesis of several disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Objective : In this study, the aim was to identify the effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) on expression of chemokines. This was examined by RT-PCR using the human mast cell line (HMC-l) Materials and Methods : HMC-l cells were used, which is known to secrete and express chemokines. In order to investigate the protective effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯), HMC-l cells were incubated with pretreatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for 24 hrs. RT-PCR analyses of chemokine genes of cells pretreated with Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) showed that expressions of IL-8, $MIP-l{\beta}$, and RANTES genes in these cells were lower and $MIP-l{\alpha}$ showed a similar pattern compared to the calcium ionophore-treated group. In addition, cell cytotoxicity concentration measurements were performed by MTT assay method. Results : After stimulation with 1 uM calcium ionophore A23178 for 2 hrs, IL-8, major one of CXC chemokines, was highly expressed, and expression of $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES (CC chemokines) increased, while expression of $MIP-l{\alpha}$ did not change. The cell cytotoxicity of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) with treatments at various concentrations and times was not observed, respectively. Conclusion : This study suggests that Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) has dose-dependent effects on mRNA expression of IL-8(CXC chemokines), $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES(CC chemokines) in human mast cellline(HMC-l). So these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanism of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model. This study provides basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for allergic disorders.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2011

Immediate-type hypersensitivity is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. Stimulation of mast cells releases inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines with immune regulatory properties. We investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Schizonepeta tenuifolia (AEST) (Labiatae) on the immediate-type allergic reaction. AEST inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction. AEST attenuated immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated skin allergic reaction and histamine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. In addition, AEST decreased the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Our results indicate that AEST inhibits the mast cell-derived allergic reactions and involvement of histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines in these effects.