Inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators in primary and cultured cells by a Chinese herbal medicine formula for allergic rhinitis

• Main Authors: McPhee Sarah, Thien Frank CK, Story David F, Xue Charlie CL, Lenon George B, Li Chun G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2007-02-01
• Series: Chinese Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.cmjournal.org/content/2/1/2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We demonstrated that a Chinese herbal formula, which we refer to as RCM-101, developed from a traditional Chinese medicine formula, reduced nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). The present study in primary and cultured cells was undertaken to investigate the effects of RCM-101 on the production/release of inflammatory mediators known to be involved in SAR.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Compound 48/80-induced histamine release was studied in rat peritoneal mast cells. Production of leukotriene B₄induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 was studied in porcine neutrophils using an HPLC assay and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated prostaglandin E₂production was studied in murine macrophage (Raw 264.7) cells by immune-enzyme assay. Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was determined in Raw 264.7 cells, using western blotting techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RCM-101 (1–100 μg/mL) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells and of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated prostaglandin E₂release from Raw 264.7 cells. Over the range 1 – 10 μg/mL, it inhibited A23187-induced leukotriene B₄production in porcine neutrophils. In addition, RCM-101 (100 μg/mL) inhibited the expression of COX-2 protein but did not affect that of COX-1.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings indicate that RCM-101 inhibits the release and/or synthesis of histamine, leukotriene B₄and prostaglandin E₂in cultured cells. These interactions of RCM-101 with multiple inflammatory mediators are likely to be related to its ability to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis.</p>