title: The ethyl acetate extract of Cordyceps militaris inhibits IgE-mediated allergic responses in mast cells and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cordyceps militaris has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating allergy in East Asia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the anti-allergic efficacy of Cordyceps militaris and its mechanism of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  β-Hexosaminidase release of mast cells, a key parameter of degranulation, was evaluated. Anti-allergic potential of Cordyceps militaris was studied using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in vivo. The anti-allergic mechanism of Cordyceps militaris was investigated by immunoblotting analysis, RT-PCR and other biological approaches in mast cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GSCM EtOAc extract (GSCME) inhibited antigen-induced degranulation with a IC50 value (28.5 μg/ml) in RBL-2H3 cells and antigen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) response with a ED50 value (665 mg/kg) in vivo. The release of interleukin (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α were decreased by GSCME in RBL-2H3 cells. In order to elucidate the anti-allergic mechanisms of GSCME in mast cells, we examined the activated levels of signaling molecules. GSCME inhibited the phosphorylation Syk, ERK, p38 and JNK expression. Identified genistein, daidzein, genistein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, genistein 4'-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, glycitein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate, daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside 4″-O-methylate and adenosine in GSCME, inhibited antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that GSCME might be used as a therapeutic agent for allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Wan-Soo
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Choong Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000737:chemistry*; D017931:DNA Primers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000187:drug effects*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D017931:DNA Primers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C007650:ethyl acetate