Abstract | BACKGROUND: RESULTS: In the course of a routine in vitro screening process, we identified beta-escin as a potentially anti-allergic compound. Here we tested beta-escin in two mouse models to confirm this anti-allergic effect in vivo. In a model of the early phase of allergic reactions, the murine passive cutaneous anaphylaxis model, beta-escin inhibited the effects of mast cell activation and degranulation in the skin and dose-dependently prevented the extravasation of fluids into the tissue. Beta-escin also significantly inhibited the late response after antigen challenge in a lung allergy model with ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Allergic airway inflammation was suppressed, which was exemplified by the reduction of leucocytes, eosinophils, IL-5 and IL-13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histopathological examinations further confirmed the reduced inflammation of the lung tissue. In both models, the inhibitory effect of beta-escin was comparable to the benchmark dexamethasone. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated in two independent murine models of type I hypersensitivity that beta-escin has potent anti-allergic properties. These results and the excellent safety profile of beta-escin suggest a therapeutic potential of this compound for a novel treatment of allergic diseases.
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Authors | Ines Lindner, Christiane Meier, Angelika Url, Hermann Unger, Andreas Grassauer, Eva Prieschl-Grassauer, Petra Doerfler |
Journal | BMC immunology
(BMC Immunol)
Vol. 11
Pg. 24
(May 21 2010)
ISSN: 1471-2172 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20487574
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Allergic Agents
- Cytokines
- Escin
- Ovalbumin
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Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Allergic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Asthma
(complications, drug therapy, immunology)
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
- Cell Movement
- Cytokines
(metabolism)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Eosinophils
(cytology, immunology)
- Escin
(therapeutic use)
- Hypersensitivity
(complications, drug therapy, immunology)
- Lung
(immunology, pathology)
- Mice
- Models, Animal
- Ovalbumin
(immunology)
- Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis
(immunology)
- Pneumonia
(complications, drug therapy, immunology)
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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