Pyeongwee-San extract (KMP6): a new anti-allergic effect.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing due to rapid industrialization and changes in lifestyle. Pyeongwee-San (KMP6) is a traditional Korean medicine that has been used as a basic prescription for digestive disorders. This study investigated the efficacy of KMP6 and its component hesperidin on experimental allergic models.


METHODS
The anti-allergic effect of KMP6 was studied against a compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and the ear swelling response. In addition, a human mast cell line (HMC-1) was used to analyze the activity of histidine decarboxylase. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) from immunoglobulin E (IgE) was used.


RESULTS
KMP6 and hesperidin inhibited the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and the ear swelling response as well as histamine release, intracellular calcium levels and tryptase release from rat peritoneal mast cells. KMP6 inhibited histidine decarboxylase activity in stimulated HMC-1 cells and macrophages. In addition, KMP6 inhibited the PCA reaction induced by IgE as well as the levels of IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 in serum from mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that KMP6 may exert an anti-allergic effect through not only the inhibition of mast cell degranulation but also the inhibition of histamine synthesis.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Na-Ra
NR
Han
Hyung-Min
HM
Kim
Hyun-Ja
HJ
Jeong
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010323:Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C562348:pyeongwee-san extract