title: Tongkyutang inhibits mast cell-dependent allergic reactions and inflammatory cytokines secretion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tongkyutang (TKT) is an Oriental herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly allergic-rhinitis in clinical medicine. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a mouse model, the role of TKT was examined in mast cell-dependent allergic reactions and secretion of inflammatory cytokines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TKT concentration-dependently inhibited the ear-swelling response induced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80. TKT inhibited the compound 48/80-induced degranulation from mast cells in ear tissue. TKT dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80. TKT also showed inhibition of anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction by oral administration. Furthermore, TKT inhibited both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion induced by PMA and A23187, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings provide evidence that TKT inhibits the mast cell-dependent allergic reactions and inflammatory cytokines secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Korea Institute of Oriental Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Chonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Hyun-Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Young-Bok
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Taeck
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong-Gab
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004423:Ear / Q000473:pathology; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C457719:tongkyutang; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D006632:Histamine; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases