Anti-allergic effects and mechanisms of action of the ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas in dinitrofluorobenzene-induced inflammation models.

Abstract

To confirm the anti-allergic effects of the ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas (EAG), the levels of ear erythema, ear weight, vascular leakage, heamatology, tumor-necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and immunoglobulin E from mice sensitized with 2,4-dinitroflurorobenzene were examined. The results showed that EAG reduced ear erythema and ear weight; we also found that Evan's blue leakage decreased. Furthermore, the levels of interleukin-6 and immunoglobulin E in the serum were significantly inhibited. In RAW264.7 cells, EAG drastically inhibited the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthease, tumor-necrosis factor-α and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, suggesting that EAG may inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute neutrophilic inflammation. Western blot analysis showed that EAG inhibited nuclear factor-κB- and extracelullar signal-regulated protein kinase-dependent inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, EAG effectively inhibited the release of β-hexosaminidase, a granule marker from mast cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EAG inhibits focal and systemic inflammatory and allergic reactions, and holds great promise for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases.

• Authors: Seong Soo Joo, Dongsun Park, Sunhee Shin, Jeong Hee Jeon, Tae Kyun Kim, Young Jin Choi, Sun Hee Lee, Jeong Seon Kim, Sung Kyeong Park, Bang Yeon Hwang, Do Ik Lee, Yun-Bae Kim
• Journal: Environmental toxicology and pharmacology (Environ Toxicol Pharmacol) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pg. 127-33 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1872-7077 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21787642 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.