Food allergy herbal formula 2 protection against peanut anaphylactic reaction is via inhibition of mast cells and basophils.
BACKGROUND
Mast cells and basophils are key effector cells of IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. The Chinese herbal formula, food allergy herbal formula 2 (FAHF-2), protects against peanut anaphylaxis in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully elucidated.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether FAHF-2 inhibits mast cell/basophil numbers and IgE-mediated activation.


METHODS
Mice with peanut allergy (PNA mice) were treated with FAHF-2 intragastrically for 7 weeks and challenged intragastrically with peanut 1 day and 4 weeks posttreatment. Peripheral blood basophil numbers and peritoneal mast cell numbers and FcεRI expression were determined. Direct effects of FAHF-2 on the murine mast cell line MC/9, and effects of 4 fractions and 3 compounds isolated from FAHF-2 on rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) and human skin mast cells degranulation and on the IgE-mediated spleen tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, were determined.


RESULTS
Although all sham-treated PNA mice developed anaphylaxis, FAHF-2-treated PNA mice were protected against anaphylaxis after peanut challenge at 1 day and 4 weeks posttherapy. Reduction of peripheral blood basophils began after 1 week of treatment and continued for at least 4 weeks posttherapy. The number and FcεRI expression of peritoneal mast cells were also significantly decreased 4 weeks posttherapy. FAHF-2-treated MC/9 cells showed significantly reduced IgE-induced FcεRI expression, FcεRI γ mRNA subunit expression, proliferation, and histamine release on challenge. Fraction 2 from FAHF-2 inhibited RBL-2H3 cell and human mast cell degranulation. Three compounds from fraction 2-berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine-inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation via suppressing spleen tyrosine kinase phosphorylation.


CONCLUSIONS
Food allergy herbal formula 2 reduction of basophils and mast cell numbers as well as suppression of IgE-mediated mast cell activation may contribute to FAHF-2's persistent protection against peanut anaphylaxis.
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
Ying
Y
Song
Chunfeng
C
Qu
Kamal
K
Srivastava
Nan
N
Yang
Paula
P
Busse
Wei
W
Zhao
Xiu-Min
XM
Li
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D010367:Arachis / Q000009:adverse effects; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C497376:Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E