1998; 351:1225C1232

1998; 351:1225C1232. with AR, wogonin decreased OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, and the levels of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, and RANTES in nasal lavage fluid. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were lower in both groups of wogonin-pretreated mice than in the OVA group. A reduction in eosinophil infiltration of the nasal mucosa and inhibition of the expression of IL-5 and IL-13 were also noted in the treated groups. Conclusion Wogonin induced antiallergic effects in a murine model of AR by decreasing the infiltration of eosinophils and levels of T-helper type 2 cytokines. Thus, wogonin merits concern as a therapeutic agent for treating AR. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is usually a disease with a prevalence in the general population worldwide of 3C19%, Chloroxylenol but this is Chloroxylenol increasing in frequency.1,2 The prevalence of AR in Korea ranges from 6 to 10%, and this is also increasing.3,4 The typical symptoms of AR are nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, conjunctivitis, and disturbed olfaction, all of which create difficulties in school or work life, and Chloroxylenol they are a major risk factor for asthma exacerbation.5C7 AR is Mouse monoclonal to CD14.4AW4 reacts with CD14, a 53-55 kDa molecule. CD14 is a human high affinity cell-surface receptor for complexes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS-endotoxin) and serum LPS-binding protein (LPB). CD14 antigen has a strong presence on the surface of monocytes/macrophages, is weakly expressed on granulocytes, but not expressed by myeloid progenitor cells. CD14 functions as a receptor for endotoxin; when the monocytes become activated they release cytokines such as TNF, and up-regulate cell surface molecules including adhesion molecules.This clone is cross reactive with non-human primate caused by allergy mediators such as histamine, inflammatory cytokines, eosinophils, and mast cells.8 The AR reaction begins with the binding of mast cells to immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors on the surface of basophils, which induces mast cell secretion of inflammatory cytokines and histamine. 9 As a result, inflammatory cells and eosinophils migrate to the involved tissues.10 Current pharmacotherapy for AR includes corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell stabilizers, and anticholinergics, but many patients seek complementary and alternative treatments, including the use of medicinal herbs, to decrease allergic inflammation.11,12 However, the precise effects and mechanisms of action of these approaches in reducing allergic asthma are unclear. Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) is usually a component of the dried root of Georgi that has been used in China to treat liver disease, leukemia, and atherosclerosis.13,14 Antiangiogenesis, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects have also been described.15C17 In traditional Chinese medicine, wogonin is also used to treat allergies and inflammation, based on its toxin-removing and thermal cleansing properties, 18 Antioxidative effects have also been described.19 In the present study, we examined the ability of wogonin to inhibit ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic nasal symptoms and inflammatory cytokine release in a murine model of AR. We also investigated the mechanisms that underlie its effects. METHODS Animals Six-week-old female BALB/c mice were purchased from Orient Bio Inc. (Seongnam, Korea). All animal experiments were carried out according to the Gachon University Animal Research Guidelines. The study was approved by Gachon University. Group Classification and Development of an AR Model The 6-week-old female BALB/c mice were divided into five groups (value of 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS Effect of Wogonin on OVA-Specific IgE Levels in Serum of the AR Model The mouse OVA-specific IgE level was 515.488.5 U/mL in the OVA group, which was significantly higher than that of the normal control group (50.1U/mL). By contrast, mice administered either wogonin 30 mg/mL or dexamethasone had significantly lower OVA-specific IgE levels than the OVA group: 299.760.0 U/mL and 274.645.6 U/mL, respectively (Fig. 1). Open in a separate window Physique 1. Effect of wogonin on OVA-specific IgE levels in serum of the allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model. OVA-specific IgE levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mice in the Dex and wogonin groups were treated orally with dexamethasone: dexamethasone, 4 mg/kg; and wogonin, 10 mg/mL; and wogonin 30 mg/mL. Control and OVA mice were treated with distilled water. Independent experiments were performed (n=7). The columns and error bars represent the meanstandard error, respectively. *p 0.05 and ***p 0.005, significantly different from the OVA group. IgE=immunoglobin E;.