A great number of people are suffering from allergic inflammatory diseases such as
asthma,
atopic dermatitis, and
sinusitis. Therefore discovery of drugs for the treatment of these diseases is an important subject in human health.
Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural
flavonoid contained in
propolis, blue passion flower, and fruits. Several studies reported that
chrysin has beneficial effects including anti-
tumor and
anti-oxidant activities. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether
chrysin modulates the allergic inflammatory reaction and to study its possible mechanisms of action using mast cell-based in vitro and in vivo models.
Chrysin inhibited immediate-type systemic
hypersensitivity and serum histamine release.
Chrysin attenuated
immunoglobulin E-mediated local
anaphylaxis. These inhibitory effects of
chrysin on the systemic and local
allergic reaction were more potent than
cromolyn, a known
anti-allergic drug.
Chrysin reduced histamine release from mast cells. The inhibitory effect of
chrysin on the histamine release was mediated by the modulation of intracellular
calcium. In addition,
chrysin decreased gene expression of pro-inflammatory
cytokines such as,
tumor necrosis factor-α, IL (interleukin)-1β,
IL-4, and
IL-6 in mast cells. The inhibitory effect of
chrysin on the pro-inflammatory
cytokine was nuclear factor-κB and caspase-1 dependent. Our findings provide evidence that
chrysin inhibits mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory reactions by blocking histamine release and pro-inflammatory
cytokine expression, and suggest the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro
anti-allergic inflammatory effect of
chrysin suggests a possible therapeutic application of this agent in allergic inflammatory diseases.