Effects of Red Ginseng extract on allergic reactions to food in Balb/c mice

Aim of the study

Red Ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) have traditionally been thought to have anti-allergic effects, but their influence on food-induced allergic responses is unclear.

Materials and methods

This study examined the effects of a Red Ginseng extract on an ova-albumin (OVA)-evoked allergic reaction in mice.

Results and conclusions

The orally administered extract significantly inhibited the increase in OVA-specific IgG₁ (Th₂) levels in OVA-sensitized mice, but had no effect on OVA-specific IgE (Th₂) levels. The extract prevented a reduction in IL-12 production and the ratio of IFN-γ (Th₁) to IL-4 (Th₂) in splenocytes, and enhanced small intestinal CD8-, IFN-γ-, and IgA-positive cell numbers in the OVA-sensitized mice. These findings suggest that Red Ginseng inhibits allergic reactions to food by preventing reductions in the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 and in IL-12 production induced by dietary antigens in spleen cells, and/or increasing the expression of CD8 and IFN-γ in the small intestine. It may also protect against sensitization to antigens as an immunomodulator by increasing intestinal IgA secretion without affecting antigen-specific IgE levels. In conclusion, Red Ginseng roots may be a natural preventative of food allergies.     

Attenuation of airway hyperreactivity and T helper cell type 2 responses by coumarins from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn (PPD) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthma. Its major constituents, coumarins, were presumed to be responsible for its efficacy.

Aim of the study

The potential of coumarins from PPD (CPPD) as anti-asthma agent was investigated.

Materials and methods

Female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to induce allergic airway inflammation. CPPD was administered intragastrically before every OVA challenge. Airway reactivity to the intravenous administration of acetylcholine chloride was measured 48 h after final OVA inhalation. Airway inflammation was evaluated by leukocyte counts of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histopathological analysis of lung lesions. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ in BALF and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E in serum, and activity of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) in lung was measured. The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells among CD4⁺ T cells in spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Compared with model group, CPPD significantly reduced airway hyperreactivity and airway eosinophilic inflammation, improved pathologic lesion of the lungs, reduced levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in BALF and OVA-specific IgE in serum, inhibited the activities of EPO in lung, and up-regulated levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in BALF as well as the percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in spleen.

Conclusion

CPPD can significantly suppress OVA-induced airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity and Th2 predominant response in mice, showing great therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic asthma.     

Preventive effects of skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) extract in a mouse model of food allergy

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Food allergy, which accompanies acute symptoms such as pruritus, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethal anaphylactic shock is an increasing clinical problem. Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat inflammation, cancer, and allergy, but its effects in treating food allergy are not yet known.

Materials and methods

To examine the effect of skullcap on food allergy, female BALB/c mice were sensitized with 20 μg OVA and 2 mg alum by intraperitoneal injection on day 0. From day 17, mice were orally challenged with OVA (50 mg) in saline every 3 days, for a total of six times. To investigate the preventive effect, skullcap (25 mg/kg) was orally administered every day from day 17 to 34.

Results

Food allergy symptoms were evaluated by the criteria for diarrhea, anaphylactic response, and rectal temperature. Severe symptoms of food allergy were observed in the sham group (diarrhea, 3 points; anaphylactic response, 2.6 points; rectal temperature, −8.36 °C. In contrast, the skullcap treatment group had a significantly suppressed OVA-induced anaphylactic response (1.3 points) and rectal temperature (−4.76 °C). Moreover, both OVA-specific IgE, Th17 cytokine (IL-17), and Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13), which increased with food allergy, were significantly inhibited by skullcap treatment.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the administration of skullcap attenuates OVA-induced food allergy symptoms through regulating systemic immune responses of Th cells. These results indicate that skullcap may be a potential candidate as a preventive agent for food allergy.     

黑鳗藤新苷A的溶血性及其对卵清白蛋白免疫小鼠的免疫佐剂作用

目的:评价从黑鳗藤根中分离得到的C21甾体苷--黑鳗藤新苷A(stemucronatoside A,SA)的溶血性及免疫佐剂作用。方法:以分光光度法测定黑鳗藤新苷A对血红细胞的溶血百分率;以卵清白蛋白(OVA)100μg,OVA 100μg加氢氧化铝200μg,OVA 100μg加黑鳗藤新苷A 25μg、50μg和100μg于第1 d和15 d分别免疫ICR小鼠,二免后14天,用MTT法检测刀豆蛋白A(Con A),脂多糖(LPS)和OVA诱导脾淋巴细胞增殖反应,ELISA检测血清中的抗OVA抗体效价。结果:黑鳗藤新苷A显示轻微的溶血作用,其引起兔红细胞50%溶血的浓度(HD50)为331.39±26.16μg/ml。黑鳗藤新苷A在剂量为50和100μg时能显著增强Con A,LPS和OVA诱导的OVA受免小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖反应(P<0.05 orP<0.01 orP<0.001);50μg时能极显著提高OVA受免小鼠血清中OVA特异性抗体IgG,IgG1和IgG2b的水平(P<0.01 orP<0.001)。结论:黑鳗藤新苷A具有较低的溶血性和显著的免疫佐剂活性。     

Antiallergic effect of KOB03, a polyherbal medicine, on mast cell-mediated allergic responses in ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis mouse and human mast cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

KOB03 is a polyherbal medicine consisting of five different herbs and has commonly been used for the treatment of various allergic diseases. However, its precise anti-allergic effect and mechanism remain unknown.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of KOB03 on allergic responses through the regulation of mast-cell mediated allergic inflammation.

Materials and methods

To determine the effect of KOB03 on mast cell-mediated allergic reactions, we investigated the parameter changes of in vivo models such as compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis, and the release of allergic inflammatory mediators such as histamine, immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and inflammatory cytokines via the MAPKs and NF-kappaB pathways.

Results

The oral administration of KOB03 at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg inhibited histamine release and mortality in compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic rats. KOB03 also improved rhinitis symptoms, inhibited the histopathological changes of nasal mucosa, and decreased the serum levels of histamine, OVA-specific IgE and TNF-α in OVA-induced allergic rhinitis in mice. In vitro, KOB03 suppressed compound 48/80-induced histamine release by blocking mast cell degranulation. In addition, KOB03 inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in PMA/A23187-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells by suppressing their gene expression and blocking the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.

Conclusions

These results suggest that KOB03 has an anti-allergic effect by modulating mast cell-mediated allergic responses in allergic rhinitis.     

中药复方别敏治疗变应性鼻炎的实验研究

目的 探索中药复方别敏对变应性鼻炎干预作用机制。方法 采用卵清蛋白（OVA）腹腔注射造成变应性鼻炎小鼠模型,观察小鼠行为学变化、脾脏淋巴细胞增殖能力及血清总IgE和OVA特异性IgE含量的变化。结果 中药复方别敏能明显减少变应性鼻炎模型小鼠的抓鼻和喷嚏数;抑制植物血凝素A和OVA刺激引起的脾脏淋巴细胞增殖;降低血清总IgE和OVA特异性IgE含量。结论 中药复方别敏具有抑制脾脏淋巴细胞增殖,降低血清IgE等作用。     

炒紫苏子醇提取物对过敏模型小鼠的抗过敏作用及机制

目的观察炒紫苏子醇提取物对过敏模型小鼠血清总IgE水平和特异IgE水平的影响。方法采用ELISA法测定卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏小鼠血清总IgE水平;采用大鼠异种被动皮肤过敏反应测定特异IgE水平;采用小鼠主动皮肤过敏反应——耳肿胀试验和小鼠主动全身过敏反应研究炒紫苏子醇提取物的抗过敏作用。结果炒紫苏子醇提取物0.32、0.64、1.28g/kg各剂量组能明显降低小鼠血清总IgE水平(P<0.05、0.01),并呈剂量依赖关系,也明显降低小鼠特异IgE水平(P<0.05、0.01),1.28g/kg剂量抑制小鼠特异IgE水平好于阳性对照色苷酸钠(P<0.01);小鼠主动皮肤过敏反应结果表明,与木犀草素相同,炒紫苏子醇提取物各剂量明显抑制小鼠耳肿胀(P<0.05、0.01);主动全身过敏反应结果表明,炒紫苏子醇提取物各剂量组小鼠OVA攻击死亡率明显降低,小鼠存活时间明显延长,其中1.28g/kg剂量组和木犀草素组死亡率最低,存活时间最长。结论炒紫苏子醇提取物通过明显降低小鼠血清总IgE和特异IgE水平,发挥抗过敏作用。     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the essential oil and active compounds from Cordia verbenacea

The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea (Boraginaceae) and some of its active compounds were evaluated. Systemic treatment with the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea (300-600mg/kg, p.o.) reduced carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, myeloperoxidase activity and the mouse oedema elicited by carrageenan, bradykinin, substance P, histamine and platelet-activating factor. It also prevented carrageenan-evoked exudation and the neutrophil influx to the rat pleura and the neutrophil migration into carrageenan-stimulated mouse air pouches. Moreover, Cordia verbenacea oil inhibited the oedema caused by Apis mellifera venom or ovalbumin in sensitized rats and ovalbumin-evoked allergic pleurisy. The essential oil significantly decreased TNFalpha, without affecting IL-1beta production, in carrageenan-injected rat paws. Neither the PGE(2) formation after intrapleural injection of carrageenan nor the COX-1 or COX-2 activities in vitro were affected by the essential oil. Of high interest, the paw edema induced by carrageenan in mice was markedly inhibited by both sesquiterpenic compounds obtained from the essential oil: alpha-humulene and trans-caryophyllene (50mg/kg, p.o.). Collectively, the present results showed marked anti-inflammatory effects for the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea and some active compounds, probably by interfering with TNFalpha production. Cordia verbenacea essential oil or its constituents might represent new therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Adjuvant effect of ethanol extract of Semen Cuscutae on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice

An ethanol extract of Semen Cuscutae (EESC) was evaluated for its adjuvant potentials on the cellular and humoral immune responses of ICR mice against ovalbumin (OVA). ICR mice were immunized subcutaneously with OVA 100 microg alone or with OVA 100 microg dissolved in saline containing aluminum hydroxide gel (Alum) (200 microg), Quil A (10 or 50 microg) or EESC (100, 200 or 400 microg) on Days 1 and 15. Two weeks later (Day 28), concanavalin A (Con A)-, pokeweed (PWM)- and OVA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and OVA-specific antibody in serum were investigated. EESC significantly enhanced the Con A-, PWM-, and OVA-induced splenocyte proliferation in OVA-immunized mice at a dose of 200 microg (P<0.05 or P<0.025). OVA-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody levels in serum were significantly enhanced by EESC compared with OVA control group (P<0.025). Moreover, enhancing effects of EESC on these OVA-specific antibody responses to OVA in mice were more significant than those of Alum and Quil A (P<0.025). In conclusion, the results suggest that EESC is effective on Th1 and Th2 cell functions, and could be safely used as adjuvant.