title: Inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators in rat peritoneal mast cells and murine macrophages by a Chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM-102).
abstract: RCM-102 is a Chinese herbal medicine formulation derived from a formula which was shown to be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of RCM-102 on the formation of inflammatory mediators, histamine, prostaglandin and nitric oxide, which are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of SAR. The effect of RCM-102 on histamine release was tested in compound 48/80-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The effects of RCM-102 on the release of NO and prostaglandins (PGE(2)) and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and COX-2 were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In rat peritoneal mast cells, RCM-102 significantly reduced the compound 48/80-induced histamine release. It also significantly reduced NO and PGE(2) production as well as the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that RCM-102 inhibits the formation of several allergic/inflammatory mediators and thus may be used for treating related conditions such as SAR. The actions of RCM-102 are likely to be contributed by the synergistic actions of individual herbal ingredients.
authors.affiliation: The Chinese Medicine Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Victoria 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: George Binh
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lenon
authors.forename: Charlie Changli
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: David Frederick
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Story
authors.forename: Francis Chung Kong
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Thien
authors.forename: Chun Guang
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006632:Histamine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006632:Histamine; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2