Effects of sohamhyoong-tang on ovalbumin-induced allergic reaction in balb c mice

Abstract EN

IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation and excessive Th2 cells activation are major features of various allergic diseases.

Sohamhyoong-tang has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Sohamhyoong-tang extract (SHHTE) on allergic symptoms and inflammatory responses in ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized BALB/c mice.

The mice were sensitized with OVA and alum at 2-week intervals and then orally given SHHTE for 13 days followed by intradermal OVA injection.

Administration of SHHTE significantly reduced edema formation and inflammatory-cell infiltration in ear tissues.

Total and OVA-specific IgEs as well as proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and Th2-associated cytokine IL-4 levels were lower in the SHHTE-treated group than in the vehicle.

SHHTE treatment significantly suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in OVA-stimulated splenocytes.

SHHTE decreased Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th17 (IL-17a) cytokine mRNA expression but increased Treg cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1).

Moreover, SHHTE significantly inhibited degranulation of RBL-2H3 cell line in a dose-dependent manner.

Thus, SHHTE efficiently inhibited the allergic symptoms in an OVA-sensitized mouse model and its action may correlate with the suppression of IgE production by increasing IL-10 and TGF-β1, which can limit the function of other T helper cells and prevent the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells.

These results suggest that SHHTE could be a therapeutic agent for treating various allergic diseases.