title: Anti-asthmatic activity of phenolic compounds from the roots of Gastrodia elata Bl.
abstract: We previously reported that 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde has the most potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of eight phenolic compounds obtained from the dried roots of Gastrodiaelata (GE) Blume (Orchidaceae); its activity may be related to inhibition of cyclooxygenase activities and oxidation. In the present study, the effects of nine phenolic compounds from GE on immediate-phase (IAR) and late-phase (LAR) asthmatic responses after aerosolized-ovalbumin (OA) challenge were evaluated by determining the specific airway resistance (sRaw) using a double-chambered plethysmograph in conscious guinea pigs with IgE-mediated asthma. Furthermore, recruitment of leukocytes, histamine release, and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activities were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) 24h after the antigen challenge. 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (12.5mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited sRaw in IAR and in LAR by 51.97+/-4.96% and 39.93+/-3.46%, respectively, compared to that of the controls. Further, hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol significantly (p<0.05) inhibited recruitment of leukocytes in accordance with amelioration of eosinophilia and neutrophilia, histamine (30.66+/-5.20%), EPO activity (21.58+/-2.02%), and specific PLA(2) activity (16.60+/-2.52%) in BALF compared with the control. In addition, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (12.5mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited sRaw, while bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, benzyl alcohol, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde at 12.5mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) inhibited leukocytes, histamine, EPO and PLA(2) activities in BALF compared with the controls. The phenolic glycoside, parishin had less activity compared to aglycones, 4-hydroxybenzyl compounds. These results suggest that the C(4) hydroxy and C(3) methoxy radicals in benzyl alcohols and aldehydes play important roles in mediating the anti-asthmatic activities of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Woon
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Ji Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chang Jong
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase / Q000187:drug effects; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D031668:Gastrodia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000737:chemistry; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054467:Phospholipases A2 / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001547:Benzaldehydes; D001565:Benzoates; D005609:Free Radicals; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin; D047209:Eosinophil Peroxidase; D054467:Phospholipases A2