Tanshinones isolated from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza inhibit passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice.
BACKGROUND
The rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM, family Labiatae), which contains tanshinones as main constituents, has been used as a cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory agent in Chinese medicine.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to elucidate anti-allergic effects of the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM, family Labiatae) and its main constituents, tanshinones, against passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction.


METHODS
PCA reaction was induced by IgE-antigen complex (IAC) in ICR mice. Protein expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and NF-κB and c-jun (AP-1) activation assayed by immunoblot.


RESULTS
Tanshinones inhibited the PCA reaction and reduced IL-4 and TNF-α production in mice as well as in IAC-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Tanshinones also inhibited NF-κB and AP-1 activation in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with IAC. Among tested tanshinones, tanshinone I exhibited the most potent inhibition, followed by 15,16-dihydrotanshinone I, tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone.


CONCLUSIONS
SM and tanshinones may ameliorate the PCA reaction by inhibiting the allergic cytokines IL-4 and TNF-α via NF-κB and AP-1 pathways.
Trinh
Hien Trung
HT
Department of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-Ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Chae
Sun Ju
SJ
Joh
Eun-Ha
EH
Son
Kun Ho
KH
Jeon
Su Jin
SJ
Kim
Dong-Hyun
DH
D045784:Abietanes; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001892:Camphanes; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D053723:Panax notoginseng; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051381:Rats; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D027561:Salvia miltiorrhiza / Q000737:chemistry*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
D045784:Abietanes; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001892:Camphanes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C000604051:danshen dripping pill; C021751:tanshinone; D015847:Interleukin-4