title: Aqueous extract from rhizoma notopterygii reduces contact sensitivity by inhibiting lymphocyte migration via down-regulating metalloproteinase activity.
abstract: In the present paper we examined the effects of the aqueous extract from Rhizoma notopterygii (RN-ext) on picryl chloride-induced contact sensitivity (PCl-CS). The extract, administered during either induction or effector phase showed a significant inhibition on the ear swelling in mice with PCl-CS. By using the isolated spleen cells from the mice with PCl-CS, we demonstrated the inhibitory effects of RN-ext on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 activities. However, such inhibition was not found in those from normal mice. The inhibitory effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 of RN-ext were also observed when it was administered in vivo. In addition, the extract significantly inhibited the migration of spleen cells from PCl-CS mice in transwell system without affecting the cell adhesion to fibronectin. These results suggest that RN-ext exerts its inhibitory activity on the contact sensitivity through decreasing the localization to the inflammation site via down-regulating MMP activities.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005780:Gelatin; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D010853:Picryl Chloride