Pycnogenol inhibits immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic response in mast cells.
IgE-dependent mast cell activation is known to be associated with the allergic diseases. Pycnogenol (PYC) is a standardized extract of the bark of French maritime pine containing bioflavonoids with a potent antioxidant activity. The antiallergic activity of PYC was evaluated using both in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Oral administration of PYC significantly inhibited anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats. In an in vitro study, PYC dose-dependently reduced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) triggered by anti-DNP IgE. PYC inhibited the protein expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in anti-DNP IgE-stimulated RPMC. Moreover, PYC decreased anti-DNP IgE-induced calcium uptake into RPMC. Furthermore, PYC suppressed nuclear factor-kappa B activation. From these results, the clinical use of PYC in the mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic diseases is proposed.
Department of Anatomy, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Republic of Korea.
Yun Ho
YH
Choi
Guang Hai
GH
Yan
D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C024070:pycnogenols; D002118:Calcium