title: Inhibition of mast cell-dependent allergy reaction by extract of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).
abstract: Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been used as therapeutics for pain and inflammation in Korean folk medicine. The potential effects of black cohosh extract (BCE) on mast cell-dependent allergy reaction, however, have not been well elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the effect of BCE on the allergy reaction using mast cell-dependent in vivo and in vitro models. BCE showed no potential of skin sensitization in local lymph node assay (LLNA). The oral administration of BCE significantly inhibited the anti-IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. BCE also showed inhibitory potential on the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. In addition, BCE inhibited the IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA induction by PMA and A23187 in human leukemia mast cells, HMC-1. These results demonstrated that BCE has an anti-allergic potential and it may be due to the inhibition of histamine release and cytokine gene expression in the mast cells.
authors.affiliation: Oriental Hospital, Oriental Medical College of Daejeon University, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Deok
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won-Kyung
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho Song
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Yong Koo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok-Seon
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Roh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D031885:Cimicifuga; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015848:Interleukin-5; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000001:Calcimycin; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate