Curine inhibits mast cell-dependent responses in mice.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Curine is a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid and the major constituent isolated from Chondrodendron platyphyllum, a plant that is used to treat inflammatory diseases in Brazilian folk medicine. This study investigates the effectiveness of curine on mast cell-dependent responses in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To induce mast cell-dependent responses, Swiss mice were subcutaneously sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA-12 μg/mouse) and Al(OH)3 in a 0.9% NaCl solution. Fifteen days later, the animals were challenged with OVA through different pathways. Alternatively, the animals were injected with compound 48/80 or histamine, and several parameters, including anaphylaxis, itching, edema and inflammatory mediator production, were analyzed. Promethazine, cromoglycate, and verapamil were used as control drugs, and all of the treatments were performed 1h before the challenges.

RESULTS:

Curine pre-treatment significantly inhibited the scratching behavior and the paw edema induced by either compound 48/80 or OVA, and this protective effect was comparable in magnitude with those associated with treatment with either cromoglycate or verapamil. In contrast, curine was a weak inhibitor of histamine-induced paw edema, which was completely inhibited by promethazine. Curine and verapamil significantly inhibited pleural protein extravasations and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) production following allergen-induced pleurisy. Furthermore, like verapamil, curine inhibited the anaphylactic shock caused by either compound 48/80 or an allergen. In in vitro settings, these treatments also inhibited degranulation as well as PGD2 and CysLT production through IgE-dependent activation of the mast cell lineage RBL-2H3.

CONCLUSION:

Curine significantly inhibited immediate allergic reactions through mechanisms more related to mast cell stabilization and activation inhibition than interference with the pro-inflammatory effects of mast cell products. These findings are in line with the hypothesis that the alkaloid curine may be beneficial for the treatment of allergic disorders.

• Authors: Jaime Ribeiro-Filho, Fagner Carvalho Leite, Hermann Ferreira Costa, Andrea Surrage Calheiros, Rafael Carvalho Torres, Carolina Trindade de Azevedo, Marco Aurélio Martins, Celidarque da Silva Dias, Patrícia T Bozza, Márcia Regina Piuvezam
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 155 Issue 2 Pg. 1118-24 (Sep 11 2014) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 24969825 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Anti-Allergic Agents
• Isoquinolines
• Immunoglobulin E
• curine
• Histamine
• Ovalbumin

Topics

• Allergens (immunology)
• Animals
• Anti-Allergic Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Brazil
• Disease Models, Animal
• Histamine (immunology)
• Hypersensitivity (drug therapy, immunology)
• Hypersensitivity, Immediate (drug therapy, immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Isoquinolines (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Male
• Mast Cells (drug effects, immunology)
• Medicine, Traditional
• Menispermaceae (chemistry)
• Mice
• Ovalbumin (immunology)