title: Effects of the Chinese herbal formula Shi-Bi-Lin on cytokine release from the human mast cell line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The traditional Chinese herbal formula Cang Er Zi San has been used for the treatment of rhinitis, paranasal sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis for several centuries. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of Shi-Bi-Lin (SBL), a modified Cang Er Zi San formula, on cytokine release from and expressions in the human mast cell line (HMC-1).
  
  
  METHODS
  The HMC-1 was preincubated with different concentrations of SBL extract solution 1 hour before being stimulated with 25 ng/mL of phorbol myristate acetate plus 2.5 x 10(-7)M calcium ionophore A23187 and then further incubated for 6, 12, and 24 hours, respectively. The cell culture supernatants were harvested, and the cytokines of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the total RNA of the cells was extracted, and the cytokines' messenger RNA expressions were examined using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After different incubation periods at different concentrations, SBL could potently inhibit the cytokines of IL-4 and TNF-alpha and modestly affect IL-6 but not obviously affect IL-8 release from the HMC-1. However, no inhibitory effects were detected on the messenger RNA expressions of these cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that SBL could modulate the mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction in allergy. Inhibition of mast cell-derived IL-4 and TNF-alpha might explain the efficacy of SBL in treating allergic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Hasselt
authors.forename: John K S
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: George G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yeuk O
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Li H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ping C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007476:Ionophores; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C503350:Shi-Bi-Lin herbal formula; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D000001:Calcimycin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate