Bamboo salt (BS) is a Korean traditional type of
salt and has been reported to have
therapeutic effects on allergic
inflammation.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) aggravates
inflammation in the pathogenesis of
allergic reactions, such as
allergic rhinitis (AR). To confirm an active compound of BS, we investigated the effect of
sulfur, a compound of BS, on the levels of TSLP in a human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells and a mouse model of AR using
hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor,
sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH). We treated NaSH or BS in HMC-1 cells and activated the HMC-1 cells with
phorbol myristate acetate and
calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). ELISA for the production measurement of TSLP, PCR for the
mRNA expression measurement of TSLP, and western blot analysis for the expression measurement of upstream mediators were performed. Mice were treated with NaSH and sensitized with
ovalbumin (OVA). The levels of TSLP were measured in serum and nasal mucosa tissue in an OVA-induced AR mouse model. NaSH or BS diminished the production and
mRNA expression of TSLP as well as
interleukin (IL)-6 and
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the PMACI-activated HMC-1 cells. NaSH or BS diminished the level of intracellular
calcium in the PMACI-activated HMC-1 cells. NaSH or BS reduced the expression and activity of caspase-1 in the PMACI-activated HMC-1 cells. And NaSH or BS inhibited the expression of receptor interacting protein-2 and the phosphorylation of
extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the PMACI-activated HMC-1 cells. The translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα in the cytoplasm were diminished by NaSH or BS in the PMACI-activated HMC-1 cells. Furthermore, NaSH inhibited the production of TSLP,
IL-6, and
IL-8 in TNF-α-activated HMC-1 cells. Finally, the administration of NaSH showed a decrease in number of rubs on mice with OVA-induced AR. And the levels of
immunoglobulin E and TSLP in the serum and the level of TSLP in the nasal mucosa tissue of the OVA-induced AR mice were reduced by NaSH. In conclusion, these findings show that H2S, as an active compound of BS is a potential agent to cure allergic
inflammation.