title: Ellagic Acid attenuates immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic response in mast cells.
abstract: Ellagic acid is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic effects. However, roles of ellagic acid in the immediate-type allergic reactions have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we have demonstrated that ellagic acid attenuates immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergic response in mast cells and in vivo. Oral administration of ellagic acid inhibited anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Ellagic acid dose-dependently reduced histamine release and the expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) activated by anti-DNP IgE. Moreover, ellagic acid suppressed an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in RPMC. Furthermore, ellagic acid decreased the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Decreased NF-kappaB activity as well as reduced [Ca(2+)](i) might be involved in the inhibitory effect of ellagic acid on the secretory response. Our findings provide possibility that ellagic acid may serve as an effective therapeutic agent for allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Guang Hai
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000941:Antigens; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002118:Calcium